New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued guidelines for the upgradation, maintenance and smart monitoring of public toilet facilities and designated parking areas at National Highway toll plazas. The initiative aims to improve the quality of public amenities by ensuring cleanliness, safety, accessibility and the availability of essential services for highway users.
The guidelines prescribe standards for upgrading existing facilities, regular cleaning, technology-enabled monitoring, citizen feedback and performance-based accountability. They also establish a structured inspection system to ensure that toilet facilities and parking areas remain clean, safe and functional.
Comprehensive Upgradation and Maintenance of Toilet Facilities
Under the new guidelines, existing toilet facilities at toll plazas will undergo technical assessments before rehabilitation to identify necessary repairs and replacements. The upgradation process will cover flooring, plumbing, sanitary fittings, lighting, ventilation, drainage, signage and other essential amenities.
Cleaning schedules and housekeeping requirements will be determined based on the size of toilet blocks and traffic levels. This approach is intended to ensure regular cleaning, proper maintenance and the continuous availability of basic amenities for National Highway users.
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Focus on Safety and Accessibility at Toll Plazas
The guidelines place special emphasis on the safety of female highway users and families travelling at night. Measures will include proper lighting, CCTV surveillance of approaches and parking areas, sanitary napkin vending machines and clearly visible information signs indicating the availability of public amenities.
Each covered toll plaza will also be required to provide at least one universally accessible toilet unit. These facilities must have barrier-free access, suitable doorways and grab bars to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Parking areas will be upgraded with designated parking bays and proper drainage systems. Provisions will also be made for the future installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Smart Monitoring of Toilet Facilities Through Technology
NHAI’s guidelines introduce technology-based monitoring to track the condition and functioning of public toilet facilities. The system will monitor parameters such as water availability, odour, sewage levels, leakages, electricity supply and toilet occupancy.
Alerts related to water shortages, sewage overflow and equipment failures will help authorities identify problems and take timely corrective action.
Smart monitoring data will be integrated with NHAI’s central digital platform. A centralised digital dashboard will enable officials to monitor facility conditions, maintenance activities, public complaints and the performance of agencies responsible for upkeep.
QR Codes and Rajmargyatra App for Citizen Feedback
To improve public participation and accountability, National Highway users will be able to submit feedback through QR codes linked to the Rajmargyatra app and through touchscreens installed at toilet facilities.
Digitally recorded complaints and suggestions will help authorities identify recurring problems, monitor their resolution and assess the quality of services provided to highway users.
The feedback mechanism is expected to strengthen accountability by allowing citizens to report maintenance issues and share their experiences directly with the authorities.
Mechanised Desludging Made Mandatory
The guidelines also mandate completely mechanised desludging for the cleaning and maintenance of septic tanks, soak pits and sewer lines.
Manual entry into septic tanks, manholes and sewer lines will be strictly prohibited. This measure aims to improve worker safety and ensure that desludging and related maintenance activities are carried out using mechanised methods.
Regular Inspections and Performance-Based Accountability
NHAI has established a structured inspection framework to monitor the quality and maintenance of toilet facilities and parking areas. The framework includes daily supervision, weekly technical inspections, monthly joint reviews, quarterly audits and annual third-party assessments.
The performance of maintenance agencies will be evaluated through physical inspections, smart monitoring data and verified citizen feedback.
The guidelines also specify deadlines for resolving maintenance issues and financial penalties for failure to maintain facilities properly. Agencies that repeatedly fail to meet the prescribed standards may face strict action.
NHAI Aims to Improve Public Amenities on National Highways
Through these guidelines, NHAI aims to strengthen the maintenance and monitoring of public toilet facilities and parking areas at National Highway toll plazas. The focus on infrastructure upgrades, safety, accessibility, citizen feedback and technology-based monitoring is intended to ensure that highway users have access to cleaner, safer and more functional public amenities.
The combination of regular inspections, digital monitoring and performance-based accountability is expected to improve service quality and promote greater transparency in the maintenance of facilities along National Highways.
Read also: NHAI Launches Toll Plaza Feedback Feature on Rajmargyatra App to Improve Highway User Experience
