No proposal for commuter safety plan on NHE

New Delhi, Nov 23: Government has no proposal to implement any special plan for commuter safety on National Highways and Expressways (NHE), said the Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

He said the safety of road users was primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government. However, his Department had taken several steps to improve road safety for road users which included road safety as the integral part of road design at planning stage for National Highways/Expressways.

Apart from this, steps were initiated to enhance road safety such as road furniture, road markings/road signs, introduction of Highway Traffic management system using Intelligent Transport System, enhancement of discipline among contractors during construction, road safety audit on selected stretches, have been undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), refresher training to Heavy Motor Vehicle drivers in the unorganised sector, involvement of Non-Governmental Organisations for road safety activities by Department of Road Transport and Highways and NHAI, setting up of model driving school in the country, publicity campaign on road safety awareness through audio-visual print media, institution of National Award for voluntary organisations/individual for outstanding work in the field of road safety, tightening of safety standards of vehicles, provision of cranes and ambulances to various State Governments/Non Governmental Organisations under the National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS). NHAI will also provide ambulances at a distance of 50 Km on each of its completed highways under its Operation and Maintenance contracts and widening and improvements of National Highways from 2 to 4 lanes and 4 lanes to 6 lanes, he added.

Responding to another question, Mr Baalu admitted that several sections on National Highways had been damaged due to rains during the current year.

He said there had been damages like pot holes, cracks in road surface, erosion of berms and approaches, damages to cross drainage works and bridge structures, washing out of road portions, land slides, settlement of roads on various National Highways due to the recent rains/floods.

He said these damages covered 28 States and his Ministry had already released funds for the repairs and maintenance of those National Highways. In addition, Rs 50 crore and Rs 22.28 crore were allocated to National Highways Authority Of India (NHAI) and Border Roads organisations for Maintenance and Repair of National Highways entrusted to them, he added.

UNI