Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways addresses concerns regarding the maintenance of National Highways (NHs) and amenities. Maintenance is conducted through Public Private Partnership (PPP) Concessionaires or Engineering Procurement Contracts (EPC) contractors. The government is implementing Performance Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) or Short-Term Maintenance Contracts (STMC) where concession periods have ended and developing Wayside Amenities along NHs.
Key Points / Main Content:
Maintenance of National Highways:
* Maintenance is a continuous process handled by Concessionaires (PPP projects) or contractors (EPC projects) as per contract agreements.
* For NH stretches where the concession period/Defect Liability Period (DLP) has ended, Performance Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) or Short-Term Maintenance Contract (STMC) are undertaken.
* STMC contracts are generally for 1-2 years, while PBMC contracts are for 5-7 years.
Wayside Amenities:
* Wayside Amenities are planned approximately every 40-60 km, providing facilities like toilets, parking, eateries, short-term accommodation, fuel stations, EV charging, and drinking water.
* 102 Wayside Amenities have been developed and operationalized through National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML).
* The Humsafar Policy aims to improve existing facilities along NHs by standardizing services.
Complaint Redressal and Penalties:
* Complaints are forwarded to Implementing Agencies for action and rectified by the Concessionaire/Contractor according to contract agreements.
* Failure to maintain NH stretches results in damages levied against the Concessionaire/Contractor.
* Supervision Consultants are penalized for deficiencies in work.
Toll Collection:
* Tolling begins after the completion of a NH stretch and issuance of a Completion Certificate, based on rates in the Toll Notification.
Enforcement and Monitoring:
* Implementing agencies conduct regular inspections and tests through supervision consultants and field officials.
* Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) are used to assess and monitor road conditions.
* NHAI One App is used for monitoring maintenance activities and rectification of defects within specified timelines.
Impact Analysis
Concessionaires/Contractors:
* Impact: Responsible for timely and proper maintenance of NH stretches as per contract agreements; subject to penalties for non-compliance.
* Action Required: Adhere to maintenance requirements outlined in agreements and rectify deficiencies promptly.
Supervision Consultants:
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring Operation & Maintenance; subject to penalties for deficient work.
* Action Required: Ensure thorough supervision of maintenance activities and adherence to consultancy agreements.
Road Users:
* Impact: Benefit from improved road conditions, availability of Wayside Amenities, and prompt redressal of complaints.
* Action Required: Utilize available channels for lodging complaints regarding maintenance issues.
Implementing Agencies:
* Impact: Responsible for forwarding complaints, carrying out inspections, and ensuring enforcement of maintenance activities.
* Action Required: Conduct regular inspections, address complaints promptly, and monitor maintenance activities using available tools like the NHAI One App.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of the National Highways.
National Highways (NHs): The network of highways maintained by the Indian government.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): An autonomous agency of the Government of India responsible for the management and development of National Highways.
Public Private Partnership (PPP): A model of project delivery where the government partners with private entities.
Engineering Procurement Contracts (EPC): A type of contract used in infrastructure projects.
Performance Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC): A type of maintenance contract for roads where payment is based on performance.
Wayside Amenities: Facilities provided along National Highways for road users, including toilets, parking, eateries, and fuel stations.
National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML): A fully-owned company of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) responsible for developing and operationalizing Wayside Amenities.
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 contractorsin 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
Highways / Expressways. The action taken by Contractor /
Concessionaire for the rectification of these defects within
specified timelines given under the Contract Agreement is also
monitored through this App.
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