Buxar: District Magistrate Sahila chaired a meeting of the District Highway Safety Committee on Friday, issuing several directives to bolster road safety and traffic management on national highways. A key decision was the formation of a District Highway Road Safety Task Force at the district level, which will conduct regular inspections and patrolling to ensure compliance with highway safety norms.
Key Directives Issued
The DM directed officials to identify illegal encroachments and unauthorized structures along national highways and initiate eviction drives. She also instructed that no license be issued within the highway safety zone without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The meeting emphasized continuous monitoring of illegal parking and accident-prone black spots on highways.
Monitoring and Review
Officials were directed to hold review meetings every fortnight and maintain detailed records of actions taken. The DM ordered the removal of illegal structures within 60 days and asked officials to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for highway inspections and patrolling.
Emergency Services and Parking Regulations
Officials were also directed to coordinate with NHAI to ensure the availability of basic life support ambulances, recovery cranes, and other emergency services on highways. The DM stated that unauthorized parking of heavy and commercial vehicles within the right of way area of national highways will be strictly prohibited. Such vehicles will only be allowed to park at designated places and roadside amenity zones. Violators, including drivers and co-drivers, will face penalties and fines.
