The National Highways Authority of India, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of the Government of India. It is the nodal authority in charge of managing and developing the country’s extensive network of National Highways, which spans over 50,000 kilometres. The establishment of the National Highways Authority of India dates back to 1988 when the National Highways Authority of India Act was passed.
See also: NHAI partners with DMRC to design bridges, share safety
What are the functions of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)?
- NHAI manages and develops National Highways in India.
- It regulates vehicles on highways and levies fees for their management.
- NHAI provides consultancy, construction, and research services related to highways.
- It maintains and develops National Highways vested in it by the Government of India.
- NHAI advises the Union Government on matters related to highways.
- It may also assist State Governments in the implementation of schemes for highway development.
What is Bharatmala Pariyojana of NHAI?
India’s largest infrastructure development program is the Bharatmala Pariyojana, which commenced in 2017. Under this initiative, the government has planned to construct more than 34,000 Km of highways throughout the country. The project has opted for the corridor development approach for highway construction. The National Highways Authority of India is undertaking Bharatmala as one of its most ambitious projects. It has utilised scientific studies to redesign the road network to reduce travel time significantly.
The project is also expected to revolutionise the highway construction industry by leveraging advanced technologies like automatic traffic analysis, satellite mapping, and imagery of the highway routes. The project aims to construct 25 greenfield expressways and access-controlled expressways spanning 9100 Km.
The NHAI has allocated over Rs 3.84 lakh for the Bharatmala project. Dedicated expressways, access-controlled economic corridors, feeder routes, coastal and port connectivity, border and international connectivity corridors, and inter corridors and feeder routes are the core components of the Bharatmala Project.
What are Fastags by NHAI?
To make the highway toll collection process more efficient, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduced a revolutionary technology called FASTag. As part of the government’s Digital India initiative, FASTag was introduced in 2016 and has become widely accepted since then. This electronic toll collection system uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enable cashless payments at toll booths. By affixing a small, pre-paid tag to the vehicle’s windshield and linking it to the user’s bank account or wallet, the corresponding toll amount is automatically deducted from the user’s account when the vehicle approaches the toll booth. This has made road travel more convenient and efficient for millions of commuters.
What are the advantages of Fastag by NHAI?
- FASTag reduces congestion and waiting times at toll booths.
- It enables contactless transactions, which speeds up journeys and lowers fuel consumption, reducing air pollution.
- FASTag minimises human intervention, increases transparency, and reduces toll evasion.
- It offers user-friendly features such as online recharge options and real-time transaction updates.
- NHAI has established a wide network of partner banks and sales outlets, making it easy to adopt FASTag.
- FASTag modernises toll collection and improves the overall road travel experience in India.
What are the mobile applications of NHAI?
Rajmargyatra
Rajmargyatra is a mobile application created by NHAI that aims to assist highway users in India. Its purpose is to provide online access to highway information and related services for commuters across the country. The services offered by Rajmargyatra include details about the nearest toll plaza, toll plaza en route, nearest petrol pump, hospitals, and more.
My FasTag App
MyFastag Application, developed by NHAI, enables users to recharge any fastag issued by any bank. Additionally, it allows users to create a new UPI ID and pay directly from their bank accounts.
How to contact the National Highways Authority of India?
The National Highways Authority of India is responsible for developing and managing national highways. If you need to contact them, you can reach out to them using the following details:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Transport Bhawan 1, Parliament Street
New Delhi – 110001
Email: wim.rth@nic.in
National Highways Authority of India
G 5 and 6, Sector 10, Dwarka
New Delhi: 110075
Phone: 011 – 25074100 (200)
Fax: 11 – 25093507 (14)
Email: tis@nhai.org
FAQs
How is NHAI funded?
NHAI is funded through various sources, such as budgetary allocation from the government, external borrowing, and toll collections.
How does NHAI ensure safety on national highways?
NHAI has implemented various safety measures on national highways, such as the installation of speed cameras, traffic signals, and barriers. It also conducts regular safety audits and awareness campaigns for drivers and pedestrians.
Can I file a complaint with NHAI regarding a national highway?
Yes, NHAI has a grievance redressal mechanism in place where citizens can file complaints related to national highways. The complaints can be filed through their official website or helpline number.
How can I check the status of a national highway project?
NHAI has an online portal where citizens can check the status of national highway projects. The portal provides information on the project timeline, budget, and progress updates.
How does NHAI ensure quality standards in highway construction?
NHAI has established a set of guidelines and quality standards for highway construction, which contractors and consultants follow. It also conducts regular inspections and quality checks during construction to ensure compliance.
What is the toll collection policy of NHAI?
NHAI collects tolls for the use of national highways. The toll rates are determined based on distance travelled, type of vehicle, and several axles. NHAI has also implemented an electronic toll collection system to reduce congestion and improve efficiency.
Is NHAI responsible for the maintenance of state highways?
No, NHAI is only responsible for managing, developing, and maintaining national highways in India. The maintenance of state highways is the responsibility of respective state governments.
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