The Odisha government has directed authorities to plug systemic safety gaps on national highways following a spate of fatal accidents. Specific instructions were issued by the transport department on Monday to the Odisha police, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the works and urban development departments to take time-bound action on highway safety, illegal parking, encroachment removal, advanced traffic management systems, truck terminals, and wayside amenities.
Supreme Court Directions Referenced
Citing the Supreme Court's interim directions issued on April 13, the transport department reminded agencies that no heavy or commercial vehicle shall park or stop on any national highway carriageway or paved shoulders except at designated bays, lay-bys, or wayside amenities. The letter urged NHAI to construct truck lay-by facilities every 75 kilometers and operationalize wayside amenities with safe parking, rest areas, food services, washrooms, first-aid, and retro-reflective signages. Priority must be given to stretches passing through habitations, market areas, schools, industrial clusters, and bus pick-up points.
Bus Bays and Safety Measures
The letter stressed that the provision of well-designed bus bays near such habitations is critical, as the unsafe halt of buses on national highways poses a significant risk to passengers, pedestrians, two-wheeler users, and high-speed traffic. It added that bus bays may be integrated with truck lay-bys and wayside amenities without compromising the safety and operational efficiency of heavy vehicles. The housing and urban development department has been instructed not to grant or renew trade approvals for sites within highway safety zones without prior clearance from NHAI or the public works department. Existing licenses must be reviewed within 30 days.
Enforcement and Task Forces
The transport department asked the Odisha police to immediately form dedicated highway surveillance teams for patrolling and enforcing the ban on illegal parking and stoppages. Police should also provide manpower to district enforcement authorities during removal of encroachments. The works department has been tasked with engineering-related safety measures, including removal of encroachments, rectification of black spots, provision of lighting, and strengthening of road safety infrastructure. The government has also directed district collectors to form dedicated highway safety task forces to address safety concerns on national highways through coordinated action.
