Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari rolled out a 'Humsafar Policy’ on Tuesday, aimed at enhancing the travel experience on National Highways and Expressways across the country. At the launch event, organised in the national capital, the Union Minister said the policy aims at providing a "safe and pleasant" travel experience to highway users. The policy provides a comprehensive framework to ensure that commuters have access to standardised, well-maintained, and hygienic facilities by onboarding both existing and upcoming service providers along such highways. 

Here are 10 things to know about the Road Transport and Highways Ministry's Humsafar Policy:  

  • The Union Minister said that the policy will benefit the marginal sections of the society and promote eco-friendly amenities on the National Highways and Expressways. This scheme will help in the facilitation of smooth, safe and pleasant journeys for users, said Gadkari. 
  • The minister also said that National Highways will have facilities such as food courts, cafeterias, fuel stations, electric vehicle charging stations, parking facilities, toilet facilities, baby care rooms, ATMs, vehicle repair shops and pharmacy services under the Humsafar policy.
  • "It will be environment friendly and has been prepared keeping the ecology and cleanliness in the perspective," said the minister, asserting that the policy has been formulated in view of a range of important aspects including water conservation, soil conservation, waste recycling and solar energy.
  • Registered service providers will benefit from waiver of fees for renewal for existing access permission and will be provided space on National Highways to put up signages of their establishment to increase visibility. In addition, the service providers will be featured on NHAI ‘Rajmarg Yatra’, mobile app to boost their online visibility.
  • As part of the policy, commuters will be able to find details of relevant service providers near their location instantly on mobile app ‘Rajmarg Yatra’, which will also empower commuters to report issues and rate the services and facilities.
  • The policy outlines rigorous provisions for the monitoring and inspection of the registered service providers for maintaining the standard of the facilities and ensuring quality services to the commuters.
  • "Regular inspections will be conducted by a third-party agency appointed by the authority. Email/SMS alerts shall be sent to service providers in case their ratings fall below average of 3-stars and more frequent inspections will be carried out on such facilities with low score," read an official statement. 
  • The Humsafar policy will go a long way in establishing world-class services along the National Highways by standardising high-quality facilities for commuters and enhancing the overall travel experience of the National Highway users.
  • Directing other ministry officials to ensure quality service to the passengers through the new policy, Gadkari said that a number of green highways have been planned by NHAI with keeping several amenities in the perspectives. He also urged owners of fuel stations alongside National Highways to ensure basic amenities at their outlets.
  • Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta said that 1.5 lakh KMs of National Highways have already been laid down under Gadkari's guidance. Tamta also said that the vision of the Prime Minister and the guidance of the Road Transport and Highways Minister are changing the course of infrastructure in the country despite several odds.