NHAI proposal for highway pit stops yet to garner support from public

A National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) proposal to construct and operate wayside amenities, called “Highway Nest”, (rest houses) has drawn poor response from the public, according to NHAI officials.

The move was charted as a bid to energise long distance travellers using the state’s National Highway (NH) network, stretching a little over 5,006 kilometres. NHAI released advertisements more than a month ago, but the total lack of response has resulted in the authority extending the deadline to October 10.

According to Manager (Technical) M Someswaran, “Anybody owning five acres of land abutting the NH could join the project, for which all details and type of designs would be provided. The owner would have to undertake all costs and follow all state government guidelines.” “The plan is to construct one nest every 50 kilometres. NHAI plans to construct more than 1500 such nests all over the country” he added.

The project has three types of nests depending on the location. Type 1 is the biggest and includes a dormitory, food court, motel rooms, miscellaneous kiosk, fuel station, dhaba and a minor repairs area. Type 2 will include a speciality restaurant, gram bazaar and meeting and conference facilities, without space for minor repairs. Type 3 will have a dhaba, fuel station, dormitory and minor repairs area. However, those near a metropolis are likely to include a helipad.

Asked about the helipad, Somewaran said, “It will be advantageous for those areas which have chartered and private helicopters. Although it might not suit this state, it could come in handy to airlift people injured in accidents.

It would also be useful in hilly areas.” NH sees many accidents. Experts say the idea is good, as it will allow drivers a chance to rest, avoid fatigue and thus reduce accidents. However, one component which has not been included is that of an emergency medical services room. Though India has 1.08 lakh km national highways, accident rate is the highest in Tamil Nadu, which has a little over 5,000 km of NH. Though initially devised to ensure a speedy journey with reduced travel time and less wear and tear on both vehicles and fatigue to drivers, the NH is an area which sees many accidents.

Former civil servant V Murthy, who was the original proponent of these measures, said,

“A proposal was submitted to the state government in 1999-2000, which placed emphasis on driver education and health care. It was proposed to set up trauma centres with an ambulance every 50 km, so that travellers injured in accidents could be saved. The proposal also included driver training programmes, insurance and police facilities in such centres. Modern speciality hospitals were requested to adopt such centres, which, in turn would have reduced government expenditure on this move.”

Elucidating further, he said, “We also sought the involvement of top hotels to set up food courts so that drivers, specially truck drivers, could relax, while arrangements were suggested for their entertainment and food.”

He added that it was in response to this proposal that the state government ordered the availability of the 108 service ambulances, every 50 km. “However, as the ambulances now have to travel long distances to reach a hospital, there is every chance of an accident victim dying. The proposal submitted by the district administration included equipment to remove accident wreckage and a shed to effect repairs on damaged vehicles” he added.

C Dhanaraj, Secretary, State Lorry Owners Federation told DTNext, “Although the amenitiesnest is a welcome move, the officials should take up maintenance works at regular intervals. Further, officials should allot enough space for parking lorries in the kiosk.”

He added that it was a long-pending proposal by NHAI and that construction works should be put on fast track.