Lok Sabha Question No. 381 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-22
Subject: Women Toll Collecting Staff
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: ANWHAR RAAJHAA, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD

be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of permanent and contract workers in different toll plazas of the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had decided to deploy all women toll collecting staff in day shift on at least one toll plaza close to the city area in every State and UT on International Women's Day, if so, the details thereof  along  with  number  of  women  deployed  at  each  toll  plaza,  the objectives behind this initiative and the result thereof;
- (c) whether  NHAI  is  considering  to  deploy  all  women  staff  across  all  toll  plazas under  their  operation  within  the  next  three  months  and  if  so,  the  details thereof along with the steps taken by NHAI in this regard ;
- (d) the utilisation of men staff who have already been posted in toll plazas under operation of NHAI; and
- (e) whether  NHAI  is  also  considering  construction  of  Highway  Nest  (Mini)  at  toll plazas for the benefit of commuters, if so, the details thereof along with the basic  amenities  likely  to  be  provided  in  all  toll  plazas  for  the  benefit  of customers  and  the  time  by  which  the  plazas  will  be  ranked  on  the  basis  of amenities?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a)  to (e) A STATEMENT is laid on the Table of the House.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 381

ANSWERED ON 22 ND  MARCH, 2018

## Women Toll Collecting Staff

## *381. SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA: DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (A)  TO  (E)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  *381  ANSWERED  ON  22 ND MARCH,  2018  ASKED  BY  SHRI  A.  ANWHAR RAAJHAA AND DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD REGARDING 'WOMEN TOLL COLLECTING STAFF' ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(a) As on 31.12.2017, there are 422 fee/ toll plazas situated on NH stretches. Out of these, 270 toll plazas are situated on road projects executed under PPP mode, where the respective Operation & Maintenance of toll plazas, including selection/ deployment of manpower rests with the private concessionaires. The remaining 152 toll  plazas  are  located  on  public  funded  road  projects,  which  are  operated  through Tolling  contractors  selected  through  competitive  bidding.  Therefore,  NHAI  does  not sanction or deploy any manpower directly at the toll plazas. (b)  to  (d)  On  International  Women's  Day,  NHAI  vide  Circular  dated  22.02.2018 instructed its Regional Officers to explore the possibility of deployment of all women toll  fee  collection  staff  in  day  shift  on  at  least  one  toll  plaza  near  city  area  under their  jurisdiction.  As  per  the  circular,  the  toll  plaza  was  to  be  selected  keeping  in mind women safety issues. While this move is to be tried on pilot basis, the male staff shall  continue to be deployed by their employer at toll plazas for collection of fee from NH users. Since this is a new initiative and introduced less than a month ago, the relevant data is not readily available. (e)  NHAI  has  launched  an ambitious project of  ' HIGHWAY  NEST  (MINI)' for convenience of highway users for their safe and comfortable journey by facilitating them  with  drinking  water,  tea/coffee,  packaged  food   and  eatables  on  upside  and downside of the National Highways at all the 372 toll plazas under operation by NHAI. Nearly  35  numbers  of  Toll  Plazas  have  been  covered  with  Highway  Nest  (Mini)  by 28.02.2018 and it is proposed to cover a total of 50 toll plazas by the end of March 2018.

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