Status on Lighting System on National Highways

Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines specify provision of lighting on NHs at locations such as built-up sections, toll plaza areas, rest areas, truck lay-byes, bus bays and bus shelter locations, grade-separated structures, interchanges, flyovers, underpasses (vehicular and pedestrian) and overpasses. Accordingly, lighting is generally provided in the above-mentioned road-sections/locations in 4-laning and 6-laning projects. In 2-laning projects, lighting is also provided in toll plazas and other locations as mentioned above as per provisions in the respective contract agreements. The scope of lighting in a project is decided based on the requirement assessed during preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) from safety and other technical considerations and also taking into account proposals/suggestions received from different quarters including State Governments.

There is no proposal to provide median lighting on entire National Highways except in sections/ locations mentioned above.

Government has taken following steps to check accidents on National Highways in the country:

i. Amendment of Motor Vehicle Act with variety of provisions to enhance road safety ii. Permanent rectification of accident black spots

iii. Road safety audit in design, construction and operation stages. iv. Incident management.

1. 5. Providing traffic calming measures.
   6. Road Safety awareness campaigns/ trainings/ programs
   7. Free eye check-up camps and distribution of eye-glasses to truck/ bus drivers operating on National Highways.

State Governments look after the law and order situation on National Highways within their jurisdiction including theft.