Parliament Question: Guardrail colour standards in West Bengal

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 48 ANSWERED ON - 04/02/2026 GUARDRAIL COLOUR STANDARDS IN WEST BENGAL 48. SHRI SAMIK BHATTACHARYA: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that Government of West Bengal has been painting guardrails, crash barriers and roadside safety structures in State’s blue-and-white colour scheme, instead of following nationally prescribed Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and MoRTH guidelines, which require black-and-yellow or black-and-white retro-reflective schemes for proper visibility; (b) whether such unauthorised colouring reduces night-time conspicuity and has contributed to accidents on National Highways due to poor visibility and lack of hazard markings; and (c) steps being taken to ensure that West Bengal Government and local authorities adhere strictly to IRC-mandated colour, signage and reflectorisation standards to prevent avoidable accidents and improve highway safety in State? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 48 FOR ANSWER ON 04.02.2026, ASKED BY SHRI SAMIK BHATTACHARYA REGARDING GUARDRAIL COLOUR STANDARDS IN WEST BENGAL. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) to (c): Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is primarily responsible for development, operation and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). The codes prescribed by the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and the specifications of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways are followed for Road and Bridge Works on National Highways. IRC prescribes yellow and black colour for objects within carriageway and black & white colour for objects adjacent to carriageway. Appropriate action is taken for compliance in case of any deviation from specified code on NHs. As regards to roads within the jurisdiction of States/UTs, Central Motor Vehicle Rule 166 prescribes that the design, construction and maintenance of roads other than National Highways shall be in accordance with the standards and specifications of the Indian Road Congress as may be applicable, or any other instructions or guidelines issued by the State Government from time to time. *****