Lok Sabha Question No. 1477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Exempting Farmers on NH Tolls
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1477 ANSWERED ON 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## EXEMPTING FARMERS ON NH TOLLS

1477. DR. K SUDHAKAR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  steps  taken  to  exempt  farmers  carrying  farm  produce  to destinations from paying tolls on National Highways (NHs);
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  ensure  that  the quality of roads providing rural connectivity is of the highest quality, providing seamless all-weather connectivity, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  any  uniform  standards  are  available  with  respect  to construction and maintenance of roads in the country including State highways and rural roads, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the extent to which the roads are equipped for disaster management  and  quick  response,  especially  those  connecting  rural areas; and
- (e) the steps taken to develop border roads in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  As per the provisions of National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, no fee shall be levied for the use of

the section of national highway by tractors and animal drawn vehicle, provided that three wheelers, tractors and animal-drawn vehicles shall not be allowed to use the section of national highway where a service road  or  alternative  road  is  available  in  lieu  of  the  said  National Highway.

- (b)  &  (c) For  Rural  roads,  as  per  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Guidelines, ensuring the quality of the road works is responsibility of the respective State Governments which are implementing the Programme. There is a three-tiered Quality Control mechanism  for  ensuring  construction  of  quality  road  works  and durability of road assets under PMGSY.

The  construction and maintenance of National Highways (NHs) is done in accordance with the standards and specifications specified by  the  Government  and  Indian  Road  Congress  (IRC).  All  efforts  are made to ensure that the NH are constructed as per quality standards.

Further,  to  ensure  the  construction  quality,  the  supervision consultants  are  appointed  on  project  specific  basis  for  day-to-day supervision of the works at site.  Deficiencies, if any, observed during such  examination  /  supervision  are  brought  to  the  notice  of  the contractor/ concessionaire for taking up necessary corrective measures at their own cost.

Additionally, the Contractor/Concessionaire is made responsible for defect liability/maintenance of project for a period of 5 to 15 years depending on mode of execution of project.

- (d) Adequate safety features are provisioned in the design of roads and structures under National Highways.

Further, Emergency Response Teams, equipped with adequate manpower and machinery, are deployed at National Highways. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has made the provision  of  emergency  services  like  Ambulance,  patrolling  vehicle and crane on 24x7 basis at fee plaza. The helpline number 1033, set up by the NHAI is designed to address various issues including concerns about emergency services. The helpline operates 24x7 and is managed to ensure prompt responses.

(e) National Highways  &  Infrastructure  Development  Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)  was  established to fast pace  construction of National  Highways  and  other  infrastructure  in  the  North  Eastern Region  and  Strategic  areas  of  the  country  which  share  international boundaries.  The  road  projects  are  aligned  with  the  PM  Gati  Shakti National Master Plan, for comprehensive connectivity and are executed  through  the  implementing  agencies  such  as  Border  Road Organisaton  (BRO),  NHIDCL  and  respective  State  PWDs  in  border areas.

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