Improving the quality of Highway journey

In conversation with Mangala Chandran, Prakash Gaur, CEO, National Highway Logistics Management Limited emphasizes the government’s ambitious initiative to establish leisure hubs along the National highways and expressways, aiming to enhance road safety and ensure a hassle-free driving experience.

You have an ambitious plan of awarding 1000 wayside amenities by March 2026?

Yes, National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) had identified 1000 Wayside Amenities planned to be awarded in the next 3 years. These amenities will span from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Saurashtra to Silchar, covering all the National Highways and Expressways across the entire country. NHLML has prepared a comprehensive road map, a geo-coordinated location map, which will also be linked to Rajmargyatra App for easy access to road users.

These Wayside Amenities are being developed to match the world-class facility standards. The foremost objective of these facilities is to provide high-quality, well-maintained rest areas and baby care rooms comparable to those found in airports, keeping modern airports as benchmark. Additionally, the initiative promotes convenience shops featuring like ODOP (One District One Product), emblematic of each district, such as Kanchipuram sarees from Tamil Nadu or pickles from Andhra Pradesh or handicrafts from Rajasthan.       

When it comes to medical facilities, primary medical services have been provided at some locations, depending on the scale. However, for every 100 kilometers of greenfield expressways, provisions are being made for development of trauma centers. Helipads are also being included in these plans.

The overall strategy also encompasses the provision of multi-fueling areas catering to diesel, petrol and other sustainable fuels. Along the Delhi-Dausa Expressway inaugurated last year, EV charging stations are provisioned at Wayside Amenities every 40 kilometres for highway users traveling from Delhi to Jaipur.

Furthermore, special attention has been given to the needs of truck drivers, including the provision of trucker facilities, cooking areas, and an affordable ‘thali’ system. In a nutshell, the conveniences are planned and designed holistically to address a multitude of demands.

What is the model you are following?

Under the Public Private Partnership model, there are two development approaches. Initially, we commence construction on select sites, and upon completion and readiness for operation, we offer a 15-year lease period to the developer. If the amenities are not directly constructed by NHLML but involve only land development, access provision, approvals, and clearances, then a 30-year lease period is offered. Prior to facility implementation, a thorough feasibility study is conducted, and a master plan and modelling are prepared. Accordingly, bids are being invited.

The bidding parameter is the lease amount; whosoever quotes the maximum lease amount is awarded the site. However, paramount importance is placed on site monitoring, facilitated through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) outlined in our documentation. These KPIs meticulously track the maintenance of facilities, ensuring cleanliness of toilets, proper provision of amenities, and overall site upkeep. The systematic planning of these KPIs ensures effective monitoring and maintenance of facilities.