NHAI orders cleaner toilets, better parking and EV charging at highway toll plazas

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a significant step to make highway travel more comfortable, easier and safer for lakhs of people who drive on the country's national highways. The new decision will raise the standard of basic facilities at toll plazas and remove many of the problems travellers face. Special arrangements are being made for women, the elderly and differently abled travellers.

Under the new guideline, public toilets at all toll plazas in the country will be inspected closely. Orders have been issued to carry out repairs immediately wherever they are found necessary.

Damaged flooring, taps, drinking water arrangements, electricity supply and drainage systems in the toilets will be fixed at once. Dedicated staff will be deployed to clean the toilets regularly, round the clock. A fixed cleaning schedule will be drawn up, keeping in mind the steady flow of travellers and the facilities available.

Priority has been given to the safety and health of women passengers, small children and people travelling with families. CCTV cameras will be installed at essential spots at every toll plaza. Vending machines dispensing sanitary napkins will also be installed for women.

Clear signboards pointing the way to the toilets will be put up. Notably, every toll plaza will now be required to have at least one specially designed toilet that is easy to use, so that differently abled travellers face no difficulty.

Beyond toilets, parking will also be improved for the safety and comfort of travellers' vehicles. Separate spaces will be marked out for vehicles in the parking areas. A proper drainage system will also be installed so that water does not collect during rain or at other times.

Considering the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs), the new guideline also makes an important provision for building EV charging stations near toll plazas.

Modern technology will be used to keep these facilities up to standard and ensure the rules are followed. A system will be installed to give immediate alerts on water shortage, foul smell, wastewater levels, pipeline leaks and electricity supply problems.

The entire system will be linked to NHAI's main digital system. This will allow the officials concerned to monitor the condition and upkeep of facilities at all toll plazas in the country directly and continuously from a single digital dashboard.