Road Safety Audits Mandatory At Every Stage Of Project Implementation; Newly-Constructed National Highways To Open Only After Audits

The Road Transport Ministry has been directed to open the newly-constructed National Highway stretches only after road safety audits have been conducted.

The Ministry will also frame a policy for implementation of smooth transition in lane configuration with adequate signage and warnings to reduce accidents.

These directions were issued to the Union Road Transport Ministry for compliance at the last PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan review meeting.

The Ministry has also been directed to identify the measures and policy required by the central and state governments to expedite the electrification of all public transport vehicles to accelerate the goal of decarbonisation of transport in the country.

According to the Road Transport Ministry, a plan is being worked out to convert the existing fleet of diesel buses operated by the state transport undertakings to electric.

As per the minutes of the meeting, in case of hazardous and accident prone zones, the infrastructure shall be developed with sufficient structures such as vehicular underpass or flyovers.

The Ministry shall roll out a policy incorporating the same. Road safety audits shall be mandatorily conducted at every stage of project implementation starting from project planning, designing, implementation and operation.

The Ministry has also been directed to assess the feasibility of maximising the award of critical infrastructure gap projects including road connectivity for identified non-major ports as soon as possible.