New Delhi: In a transformative move aimed at enhancing India’s highway infrastructure, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has officially launched the much-anticipated ‘Humsafar Policy’, designed to make road travel safer, smoother, and more pleasant for travelers. This comprehensive policy, introduced after a four-year delay, reflects extensive studies and consultations with experts and officials, highlighting the government’s commitment to modernizing highway services.
A New Standard for Highway Services: Baby Care Rooms, Clean Toilets, and More
One of the policy’s most notable features is the introduction of baby care rooms, addressing a long-standing issue for traveling families, particularly women. Gadkari emphasized the importance of providing clean and accessible public amenities along highways, including food points and toilets, not just in major cities but also in smaller towns and villages. Under the new guidelines, all petrol pump operators will be required to open their toilets to the public, or face the cancellation of their No Objection Certificate (NOC). This bold move underscores the government’s focus on creating a traveler-friendly environment and ensuring basic hygiene standards across the country’s vast highway network.
Empowering Entrepreneurs and Generating Employment
In addition to improving the travel experience, the Humsafar policy is expected to empower local entrepreneurs and create new employment opportunities. By enabling the setup of service facilities along highways, the policy opens doors for small businesses to flourish, contributing to local economies. Gadkari expressed his hope that the Humsafar brand will become synonymous with safe and convenient road travel, setting new standards for highway infrastructure.
Monitoring and Enforcement: NHAI to Play a Crucial Role
To ensure the policy’s smooth implementation, Gadkari has directed agencies like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to actively monitor the services provided under this initiative. He stressed that service providers must adhere to strict guidelines, including providing adequate entry-exit spaces, service lanes, and signage. Licenses for these services will be reviewed every two years, ensuring compliance and quality maintenance. Moreover, in the case of multiple applications within a ten-kilometer radius, only one license will be granted to prevent overcrowding of services.
Service providers with consistently high standards, achieving a three-plus rating, will be rewarded with fee discounts, incentivizing quality service delivery. This forward-thinking policy is set to not only transform India’s highway system but also set a new benchmark for road travel infrastructure globally.
