New Delhi. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched ‘Humsafar Policy’ to provide essential facilities like clean toilets and child care rooms on national highways. According to an official statement, the ‘Humsafar Policy’ will introduce hygienic toilets, child care rooms, provisions for wheelchairs, EV charging stations, parking lots and lodging facilities at petrol pump stations located along national highways.
The ministry said that this policy will provide a convenient, safe and enjoyable experience to the passengers using the highway. Apart from this, this policy will empower entrepreneurs, generate employment and increase livelihood opportunities for service providers.
Speaking at an event to mark the launch of the policy, Gadkari said the ‘Humsafar’ brand will become synonymous with utmost safety and comfort for passengers and drivers on the country’s world-class highway network. Gadkari said, “If someone is collecting toll, he will also have to ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers.” He also stressed the need to provide high quality, standardized services on national highways.
He said that this initiative will benefit the marginalized local sections of the society. He said that this initiative will be environment friendly and has been prepared keeping in mind ecology and cleanliness. He also said that while preparing this policy, things like water conservation, soil conservation, waste recycling and solar energy have also been kept in mind.
Gadkari asked the owners of petrol pump stations located along the national highways to ensure basic facilities as per the norms. He said that it is mandatory for petrol pumps to keep toilets clean and open for public use.
He said, “I have seen that toilets at many petrol pumps remain closed. It is mandatory for petrol pumps located along highways to keep toilets clean and open for public use. If this does not happen, petrol pumps can be closed.” According to the statement, the Humsafar policy also outlines stringent provisions for monitoring and inspection of registered service providers to maintain the standard of facilities and ensure quality services to passengers.
He said that the external agency appointed by the authority will inspect them regularly. If the average rating of service providers is less than three stars, email and SMS alerts will be sent to them and such facilities with low scores will be inspected multiple times.
The ‘Humsafar Policy’ to include service providers of existing/upcoming facilities along National Highways was approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on July 19, 2024.