Lok Sabha Question No. 1930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Maintenance of Road and Amenities along NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan, Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1930

ANSWERED ON - 31st JULY, 2025

## MAINTENANCE OF ROAD AND AMENITIES ALONG NHS

1930. Shri Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P: Shri Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन एवं िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that there is lack of timely  and  proper  maintenance  of  National  Highways  (NHs)  along with  basic  facilities  such  as  refreshment  shop/canteen,  proper parking bays and resting rooms for the road/car users due to which many  travellers  are  facing  inconvenience  despite  paying  the  tolls and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints  in  this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  National  Highways  Authority  of  lndia  would  take necessary steps against the contractual company for violating the condition of maintaining the road properly and ensuring that no tolls are collected till all maintenance works are completed and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government would take necessary steps to ease out the above deficiencies for the convenience of car/road users along NHs and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) As far as maintenance  of the National Highways  (NH)  is concerned, the same is a continuous process and is carried out in through  the  Concessionaires  in  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP) projects during the concession period and through the contractors

in  Engineering  Procurement  Contracts  (EPC)  projects  during  the Defect  Liability  Period  (DLP)  in  accordance  with  the  maintenance requirements  set  forth  in  the  respective  Concession  Agreement  / Contract Agreement. For the  NH  stretches, where the  Concession Period/ DLP has ended, the Government has taken a policy decision to undertake maintenance works through Performance Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) or Short-Term Maintenance Contract (STMC). While STMC works are generally undertaken for a contract period of 1-2 year, PBMC works are undertaken for a longer period of about 5-7 years .

Wayside  Amenities  are  being  planned  at  an  approximate interval of 40-60 kms  along  National  Highways   for providing essential facilities to road users like toilets, parking, eateries, short term  accommodation,  fuel  station,  EV  charging  stations,  drinking water  etc.  So  far,  102  Wayside  Amenities  along  various  National Highways / Expressways have been developed and operationalized through National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a  fully-owned  company  of  National  Highways  Authority  of  India (NHAI).  In  addition,  the  Government  has  also  launched  Humsafar Policy  to  onboard  existing  facilities  along  NHs  with  the  intent  to improving  services  for  commuters  by  standardizing  the  facilities provided,  which  will  complement  the  Wayside  Amenities  being developed by NHLML.

- (b) Complaints regarding maintenance of National Highway stretches  are  forwarded  to  the  respective  Implementing  Agencies for taking prompt action for their redressal. Deficiencies pointed out in  complaints  are  rectified  through  the  agency  (Concessionaire  / Contractor) in accordance with the provisions of Contract Agreement.
- (c) If the Concessionaire / Contractor responsible for the concerned NH stretch fails to maintain the said stretch as per the provisions of Concession/  Contract  Agreement  within  the  given  timelines,  then suitable action including levy of damages for each day of delay in completing maintenance obligations are levied against such Concessionaire / Contractor. Further, Supervision Consultants appointed  by  the  concerned  Highway  Authority  to  monitor  the Operation  &  Maintenance  are  also  penalized  for  deficiency  in  the work in accordance with the provisions of consultancy agreements.

Tolling of any section of National Highways (NH) is taken up upon completion of the said  stretch  of  NH  with  issuance  of  Completion Certificate in accordance with the rates (including revision thereof) mentioned in the Toll Notification published in the Govt Gazette.

(d)  To  ensure  effective  and  timely  enforcement  of  maintenance activities,  all  implementing  agencies  carry  out  regular  inspections and tests through the supervision consultants and field officials. In addition, periodic survey through Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) is also carried out to assess and monitor the road condition. Based on the results of these surveys / tests, necessary repair and maintenance works are being carried out by the Field Units through respective  Contractors  /  Concessionaires  as  per  the  provisions  of the Contract Agreement. Further, National Highways Authority of India is also using NHAI One App  for  monitoring  of  maintenance  activities  along  the  National / within specified  timelines  given  under  the  Contract  Agreement  is  also

Highways / Expressways. The action taken by Contractor Concessionaire for the rectification of these defects monitored through this App.

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