Innovations in materials & construction process for road construction is a continuous process. Based on International best practices and outcome of indigenous research, new standards/guidelines are framed by Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and existing standards/guidelines of IRC are amended from time to time. MoRTH/NHAI have also issued policy guidelines on certain innovative materials/processes. Further new/innovative materials are accredited by IRC. All such materials and processes as allowed by IRC standards/guidelines, International Standards such as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM), Euro Codes, British Codes as well as materials accredited by IRC are allowed in National Highways Projects. NH Projects are generally implemented on EPC/HAM/BOT modes where contractor/concessionaire carry out their own design in accordance with applicable manual, standards/guidelines/codes etc. and then these are reviewed/approved by AE/IE before its actual use in the Project.

Road Safety Audit (RSA) is an essential part of any National Highway development project. RSA is carried out at different stages namely during design, construction and before issue of completion certificate of the project.

Ministry vide its Notification No. RT-25043/03/2017-RS dated 19.12.2019 has created Member of Parliaments’ Road Safety Committee in each district of the country under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the district. The terms of reference (ToR) of the Committee include monitoring of road safety activities, monitoring of road accidents data, reviewing and monitoring of identification & rectification of black spots, promoting road safety campaign etc.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.