Lok Sabha Question No. 5465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Movement of oversized Consignments on NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  acknowledged  the  increase  in mechanized farming and the need for larger farming machines such
- as harvesters to access all fertile lands;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  structures  like  Light  Vehicular  Underpasses (LVUPs), Vehicular Overpasses (VOPs) and Pedestrian Underpasses (PUPs) on expressways and National Highways (NHs) are restricting their movement, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of the growing demand for oversized consignments due to industrial expansion;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  proposed  VUPs,  LVUPs,  VOPs,  Road  Over Bridges  (ROBs)  and  grade-separated  junctions  are  limiting  their transportation and hindering development, if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  recognizes  that  the  lack  of  service roads  in rural  or  less  populated  areas  along  expressways  is restricting  local  movement  and  development,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  on  the economic impact of limitations in oversized consignment movement and large cultivation equipment, including increased transportation costs, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5465 ANSWERED ON 03 RD  APRIL, 2025

## MOVEMENT OF OVERSIZED CONSIGNMENTS ON NHS

## 5465. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (a)     Yes, sir.
- (b) National Highways and Expressways are designed and constructed to carry traffic  carrying  loads  in  vehicles  of  specified dimensions as per norms for efficient and economical transport of goods and passengers. However, keeping in view the developmental needs  of  the  country,  movement  of  Overweight/Over  Dimensional Consignments  (OWCs/ODCs)  carrying  industrial  goods  on  National Highways (NHs)/Expressways is allowed in accordance with established  policy.  National  Highways  and  Expressways  also  have provisions of vehicular under/overpass at the intersection of National  Highways,  State  Highways,  Major  District  Roads  and across  other  categories  of  roads  as  per  site  requirements  to maintain continuity for local traffic and facilitate the movement of agricultural machinery. Vertical clearances of Light Vehicular Underpasses (LVUPs), Vehicular Overpasses (VoPs) and Pedestrian Underpasses (PUPs) are provided as per the applicable Indian Roads Congress codal provisions and the extant policies of the government  as  well  as  site  requirements  to  have  un-restricted movement of larger farming machines such as harvesters to access all fertile lands.
- (c)  ,  (d)  and  (f)  The  Government  has  established  mechanism  for grant of online permission for movement  of Overweight/Over Dimensional  Consignments  (OWCs/ODCs)  carrying  industrial  goods on  National  Highways  (NHs)  based  on  analytical  study  and  also issued  policy  for  design  of  structures  such  as  Bridges,  VUPs, LVUPs,  VOPs,  Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  and  grade-separated junctions with special loading catering for uninterrupted movement of OWCs/ODCs as well as prevention of  damage to any associated structures.
- (e) Expressways  are  designed  in  conformity  with  Indian  Roads Congress  Guidelines  IRC:  SP:  99-2023  'Manual  of  Specifications  & Standards for Expressways'. It has the provision of access path for all along the expressways for local movement.

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