The Central Government has unveiled the Humsafar Policy to improve the availability of amenities such as clean toilets, wheelchairs, EV charging stations, petrol pumps, restaurants, and parking along the highway network. If effectively implemented, this initiative could transform the road travel experience.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the policy on Tuesday, following extensive discussions among officials and experts. After a four-year delay, this policy aims to ensure that travelers enjoy a pleasant and safe journey, as reported by Jagran.com
Humsafar Policy: Four Types Of Services In The New Policy
- Eating places (restaurants, food courts, dhabas)
- Eating places and fuel stations
- Fuel stations only (including toilets, baby care rooms)
- Trauma centers (including toilets, baby care rooms)
The Humsafar policy also includes those side amenities, which are to be installed every 40-60 kilometers in the entire highway network. One thousand such side amenities are proposed. Apart from these, the dhabas, restaurants, petrol pumps etc. already present around this network have also been brought under the purview of the new policy.
Their information will be available on the Highway Yatra platform, and their rating will also be done by private agencies so that people can be informed about the level of facilities available. People will also be able to give their feedback on this portal.
The new policy will also allow the establishments and centers providing these services to put up their signboards on the highway. Gadkari admitted on this occasion that it is our responsibility to develop these facilities for high-level road service, but the government has failed to fulfill it.
Humsafar Policy: New Employment Opportunities
With the launch of this policy, he also warned the existing petrol pumps to open the doors of their toilets for the people; otherwise, their NOC will be cancelled. The new policy also includes baby care rooms, which Gadkari specifically mentioned in the context of the inconvenience caused to women. The new policy will not only provide a better environment to the people for road travel, but will also empower entrepreneurs and generate new employment opportunities.
Humsafar Policy: Standard Infrastructure Of Facilities Available
Gadkari expressed hope that the Humsafar brand will become synonymous with safe and smooth travel. An important objective of this policy is to provide standard infrastructure of facilities along the highways and expressways-that is, better food points or toilets will not be only on the borders of big cities but will also be on the parts of the highways around towns and villages.
The Road Transport Ministry has also made arrangements for monitoring these services in the new policy. Gadkari asked agencies like NHAI to pay constant attention to this.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that those providing services will have to provide entry-exit space, service lanes, and signage.
Their license will be renewed every two years. If there are many applications within a radius of ten kilometers, then only one license will be given. Service providers with a regular three-plus rating will also be given a fee discount.