Gearing up! Ahead of monsoon's arrival, how NHAI plans to keep highways patchless, traffic-worthy

Close on the heels of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)'s statement that the onset of monsoon over Kerala will be delayed by four days, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has revealed its plans gearing up to keep National Highways in good condition. In order to keep the national highways entrusted to NHAI in patchless and traffic-worthy condition, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has directed its Regional Officers (ROs) and Project Directors (PDs) to undertake maintenance of the National Highways on top priority-basis considering ensuing monsoon season. The aim is to facilitate timely action and keep the highway stretches traffic-worthy ahead of the monsoon season i.e. latest by 30th June, 2020.

NHAI has issued new policy guidelines to help its ROs/ PDs plan and prioritize better, and then expedite the process of highway maintenance in the desired manner. The target is to ensure thorough planning of the requisite activities and the implementation of the same in a time-bound manner.

Regional Officers of NHAI have been delegated sufficient financial powers to take quick decisions regarding maintenance activities.  Project Directors have been advised to make an assessment of the condition of highways supported by technology-driven tools through car-mounted camera/ drone/ Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) etc. for identification of various highway distress (like depression, rutting, cracking etc.) and plan rectification measures.

The onset of monsoon over Kerala will be delayed by four days and the expected date now is June 5 as against June 1. Monsoon in the southern state holds significance as its onset marks the commencement of the four-month-long rainfall season from June to September. Meanwhile, monsoon is likely to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands around May 16, over six days before its normal onset date. This is due to a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal. A well-marked low-pressure over the Bay of Bengal is all set to intensify into a depression and lead to a cyclonic storm on May 16 evening.

All field officers have been directed to adhere to the timelines, regularly monitor the progress of maintenance work and keep reporting the same to the Authority at regular intervals.  NHAI HQ will be monitoring the progress closely through its Project Management Software – Data Lake where pictures of before and after repair works would be uploaded, apart from other repair-related information. NHAI is committed to provide safe and smooth drive to commuters on national highways.