Lok Sabha Question No. 227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Road Accidents
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Sukanta Majumdar, Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 227

ANSWERED ON 02 ND  FEBRUARY, 2023

## ROAD ACCIDENTS

## 227. SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated a policy for implementation of smooth transition in lane arrangement with proper signs and warnings to prevent road accidents before opening newly built National Highways in the country and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government proposes to introduce the policies and methods needed by the Union and State Governments to hasten the electrification of all public transport vehicles to decarbonise transportation sector;
- (c) if so, the action taken in this regard so far;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce insurance scheme for providing guarantee for construction project and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  surety  bond  insurance  scheme  has  recently  been launched to boost liquidity in the infrastructure sector in the country; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) Yes Sir. Transition in lane configuration and geometric elements on National Highways are designed as per Indian Roads Congress  codes,  Ministry's  guidelines  and  good  industry  practice. Road  signs  and  markings  are  also  incorporated  as  per  codes  and Manuals  to  prevent  Road  accidents  while  implementing  the  road improvement/upgradation projects. After the new NHs are declared, those are upgraded/improved in phased manner incorporating geometric improvements and other safety features.
- (b)  and  (c)  The  steps  taken  by  the  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  & Highways to adopt electric mobility in the country are as under: -
- (i) For promotion of electric vehicles, Government has notified GSR 167(E) dated 1st March 2019 for conversion through retrofitment to pure electric and hybrid electric vehicles and their compliance shall be as per AIS 123.
- (ii)The Government, vide S.O. 5333(E) dated 18 th  October, 2018, has also granted exemption to the Battery-Operated Transport Vehicles  and  Transport  Vehicles  running  on  Ethanol  and Methanol fuels from the requirements of permit.
- (iii)Government vide G.S.R 749(E) dated 7th August, 2018, has notified the  registration  mark  for  Battery  Operated  Transport Vehicles to be in Yellow colour on Green background and for all other cases, in White colour on Green background.
- (iv)The  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways, vide  GSR 525(E) dated 2nd August, 2021 has exempted Battery Operated Vehicles from the payment of fees for the purpose of issue or renewal  of  registration  certificate  and  assignment  of  new registration mark.
- (v) Ministry has issued an advisory dated 17th July, 2019 to all States and Union Territories regarding incentivisation of electric  vehicles  and  induction  of  electric  vehicles  in  shared mobility and public transport operations.
- (vi)The Government has issued an advisory dated 12th August, 2020 to all States and UTs regarding sale and registration of Electric Vehicles without batteries.
- (vii)The Government has issued an advisory dated 16th June, 2021  to  all  States  and  UTs  regarding  promotion  of  batteryoperated vehicles.

(viii)The Government has issued a draft notification vide GSR 815 (E), dt. 11.11.2021 to issue zero cost All India Tourist Permit for electric vehicles. (d) to (f) Honorable Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri  Nitin  Gadkari  launched  one  of  India's  first -ever  Surety  Bond Insurance product from Bajaj Allianz on 19th December 2022. The suitability of this product is being examined w.r.t. the provisions of model bidding/contract documents/concession agreement including BG formats in addition to other Government guidelines in force in this regard. The suitable format of Proposed Surety Bond after due approval of the  competent  authorities  will  be  incorporated  in  the  standard bidding/ contract/ concession agreement documents. Other insurance companies are presently in the process of evolving the similar product. After  GOI's  approval,  the  Surety  Bond  will  be  included  in  the standard bidding document as one of the instrument in parallel with

Bank Guarantees.

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