Buxar: District Magistrate Sahila chaired a meeting of the District Highway Safety Committee on Friday, issuing several directives to strengthen 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. The task force 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 unauthorised structures along national highways and initiate eviction drives. She also instructed that no licence be issued within the highway safety zone without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Monitoring and Review
The meeting stressed continuous monitoring of illegal parking and accident-prone 'black spots' on highways. Officials were directed to conduct review meetings every fortnight and maintain detailed records of action taken.
Removal of Illegal Structures
The DM ordered 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
Officials were directed to coordinate with NHAI to ensure availability of basic life support ambulances, recovery cranes, and other emergency services on highways. The DM said unauthorised parking of heavy and commercial vehicles within the 'right of way' area of national highways will be strictly prohibited. Such vehicles will be allowed to park only at designated places and roadside amenity zones. Violators, including drivers and co-drivers, will face penalties and fines.
