**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1866, addressed on July 31, 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways addressed inquiries regarding road safety measures on new National Highways (NHs). The Ministry confirmed that new NHs are being developed with dedicated road safety infrastructure. These measures, which are implemented during the design, construction, operation, and maintenance phases, include crash barriers, signage boards, and foot over bridges, adhering to standards and guidelines set by the Indian Roads Congress and the Specifications for Road and Bridge Works. Furthermore, the Ministry has issued guidelines for regular safety audits of all NHs at various stages (design, construction, pre-opening, and existing) to ensure road safety. While the implementation of these safety measures is expected to contribute to a reduction in accident rates, quantifying the specific rate of reduction on newly constructed National Highways is challenging at this time. The response was provided by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for the development and maintenance of the National Highways network.
SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
National Highways (NHs): A network of highways that runs through the length and breadth of India, maintained by the central government.
SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways who provided the answer to the question in Lok Sabha.
Indian Roads Congress: A premier technical organization for highway engineers in India.
Road Safety: Measures taken to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on roads.
crash barriers: A road safety feature designed to prevent vehicles from straying into dangerous areas or oncoming traffic.
foot over bridges: A structure that allows pedestrians to cross a road or railway line safely.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1866
ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY, 2025
ROAD SAFETY MEASURES ON NEW NHs
1866. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the separate infrastructure for road safety on new
National Highways (NHs) is being developed;
(b) if so, whether the types of structures such as crash barriers,
signage boards and foot over bridges have been included under this
initiative, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the impact of such initiatives on the rate of accidents?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (c) National Highways (NHs) works are carried out as per
standards, guidelines, manual, code of practice of Indian Roads
Congress as well as specifications for Road and Bridge Works.
Necessary road safety measures inter-alia include provision of crash
barriers, signage boards, foot over bridges, etc. are taken up during
design, construction, operation and maintenance stages. Further,
guidelines have been issued for regular safety audit of all NHs at
design, construction, pre-opening stage of NH projects as well as on
existing NHs for ensuring road safety. While various measures
adopted for enhancement of road safety definitely contribute to
reduction in rate of accidents, it is difficult to quantify the rate of
such reduction being newly constructed National Highways.
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