Lok Sabha Question No. 1830 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-29
Subject: Road Safety on NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Ramesh Bidhuri

## be pleased to state:

- (a)   the steps taken by the Government for the road safety on National Highways (NHs) in the country to prevent road accidents;
- (b) the total number of person died during the last two years due to accidents on NHs;
- (c) whether any direction/guidelines have been issued to States and UTs regarding road safety on NHs; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has notified 'Member of Parliaments' Road Safety Committee' in each district of the country to promote awareness amongst road users under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the district.

The Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry as detailed below :- i.

- i. Education:
- a. The  Ministry  implements  a  scheme  for  undertaking publicity measures and awareness campaigns on road safety to create awareness among road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs etc.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1830 ANSWERED ON 29 TH  JULY, 2021

## ROAD SAFETY ON NHS

1830. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## iii.

- b. Observance of National Road Safety Month/Week every year  for  spreading  awareness  and  strengthening  road safety.
- c. A  Certification  Course  for  Road  Safety  Auditors  has been commenced  in Indian Academy  of Highway Engineers (IAHE).
- ii. Engineering (both of Roads and vehicles)

##  Road engineering

- b. High priority to identification and rectification of black spots (accident prone spots) on national highways.
- c. Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage.
- d. Ministry has delegated powers to Regional Officers of MORTH for technical approval to the detailed estimates for rectification of identified Road Accident black spots.
- e. Guidelines for pedestrian facilities on National Highways for persons with disabilities have also been issued to all States / UTs.

##  Vehicle engineering:

- a. Safety standards for automobiles have been improved.
- b. Ministry has notified fitment of Speed Limiting devices on all transport vehicles.
- c. Scheme for setting up one model Inspection & Certification Centre in each State/UT with Central assistance for testing the fitness of vehicles through an automated system.

## Enforcement:

- a. The recently passed motor vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for strict enforcement through use of technology and  provides for strict penalties for ensuring strict compliance and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules.
- b. Issue of Guidelines for protection of Good Samaritans and draft rules as per MV (Amendment) Act, 2019 have been published.

## iv. Emergency care:

- a. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for a scheme for the cashless treatment of victims of the accident during the golden hour.
- b. The National Highways Authority of India has made provisions for ambulances at all toll plazas on the completed corridor of National Highways.
- c. Out of above, 297 ambulances have been upgraded to Basic Life Support as per AIS-125 and upgradation for the remaining is under process.
4. (b) As per the data received from police department of all States/UTs the  total number  of  fatalities  on  NH  in  the  country  during  the  last  2 calendar years is shown in the table given below:

| Year   | National Highways (including Expressways)   |
|--------|---------------------------------------------|
|        | Persons killed                              |
| 2019   | 53,872                                      |
| 2020   | 47,984                                      |

(c) & (d) The  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  has  issued circular dated 20 th  September, 2019 regarding road safety measures on National Highways.

This Ministry and IRC has issued various Codes and Guidelines, time to time,  to  implement  various  road  safety  measures  so  as  to  minimize accidents  on  National  Highways.   Also,  Supreme  Court  Committee  on Road Safety, during various meetings, has issued direction to various State Governments  for implementation of  Road  Safety  measures including Engineering measures. Initiatives have also been taken on the following issues of road safety :

- (i) Traffic Calming Measures (TCMs)

To  identify  locations/stretches/intersections  where  TCMs  are  needed and provide these measures on urgent basis as per the guidelines of IRC:  99  2018  "Guidelines  for  Traffic  Calming  Measures  in  Urban  and Rural Areas". TCM are also to be provided on intersections/ cross roads in consultation with the State Authorities, if required.

## (ii) Crash Barriers

To identify the sensitive spots/stretches (hilly roads, near water bodies etc.)  and  to  conduct  a  gap  analysis  for  the  requirement  of  crash barriers. The works of erecting crash barrier should be executed on top priority. The crash barrier needs to be properly maintained and in case of their damages, replacement/repairs to be carried out latest within 7 days of detection.

- (iii)  Repairing,  rehabilitation  and  reconstruction  of  dilapidated  and narrow bridges.

During  various  meetings,  it  has been  directed  that  concerned  ROs  to hold the meeting with State PWD Chief Engineer, Field Engineers so as to  finalize  the  proposal  of  improvement  of  such  distressed  bridges (which require immediate attention). The proposal of their rehabilitation/repair etc. may be incorporated in the Annual Plan so that the  same  could  be  taken  up  on  priority  basis to  avoid  any  unwanted incident.

## (iv) Road Safety Audit

Ministry  has  already  issued  instructions  vide  circular  no.  RW/NH29011/11/2015-P&M(RSCE)  dated  4th  July,  2018  to  carry  out  Road Safety  Audit  at  the  Design  stage  on  all  road  projects.  It  is  further, advised  that  Road  Safety  Audit  of  all  the  National  Highways  may  be carried out and follow up action may also be taken up for implementation of the Road Safety Audit recommendations appropriately.

## (v) Maintenance of National Highways

All the National Highways are to be maintained properly so as to keep them in traffic worthy condition. In case of Potholes, efforts needs to be  made  for  their  repair  within  stipulated  time  of  24-48  hrs  after detection.

## (vi) Reduction of fatalities on Vulnerable roads

Provide pedestrian facilities like FOBs, underpasses, footpaths etc. on vulnerable stretches / locations on National Highways as per IRC:103 "Guidelines  for  Pedestrian  Facilities".  Unauthorized  median  openings near abadi areas, dhabas, retail outlets etc. and unauthorized parking on  National  Highways  are  to  be  removed  to  prevent  accidents  and fatalities at those locations. Necessary action is to be taken keeping in view the provisions in IRC guidelines and safety of road users.

## (vii) Highway Patrolling

Highways patrolling must be ensured on the stretches of the National Highways which are implemented on BOT/EPC/HAM keeping in view the provision  of  contract  agreement.  Measures  should  also  be  taken  to remove  any  poles,  obstacles,  parked  vehicles  etc.  which  can  be  a cause  of  accident  on  NH  stretches.  Coordination  with  the  traffic enforcement agencies of the State Govt. for removal of Parked vehicles etc. on the National Highways to facilitate smooth movement of traffic must be ensured. (viii) Safety During Construction All  the  executing  agencies  are  requested  to  ensure  safety  provisions for  highways  during  construction.  Necessary  action  is  to  be  taken  to ensure provision of road signages, construction of diversion roads and other  requisite  provisions  as  per  NH  standard  1  guidelines.  IRC  has already issued IRC:SP:55-2014 regarding Guidelines on Traffic Management in work zones. Safety of road users is to  be ensured  to avoid any unwanted incident where construction works are going on. (ix) Black Spots Ministry has issued circular no. RW/NH-29011/01/2019-S&R(P&B) dated 26.08.2019 regarding Rectification  of  Accident  Black  Spots.  Vide  this circular,  short  term  measures  may  be  sanctioned  by  the  Regional Officers at their own level under the provision of contingencies of any NH work in the State concerned. Further, for the long term measures, technical approval is to be given by RO for the estimated cost upto Rs 50.0  Crore  (including  land  acquisition  cost  if  any).  All  the  ROs  and agencies  such  as  PWD  /  NHAI  /  NHIDCL  /  BRO  are  requested  to  take necessary steps for rectification of the Accident Black Spots. Monitoring  of  the  rectified  black  spots  to  check  the  effectiveness  of remedial measures is also to be taken and reported to the Ministry.

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