The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in a first, has set up Corridor Management Units (CMUs) for ensuring operation and maintenance of National Highway stretches, a move aimed at focusing more on monitoring the upkeep of NHs and for frequent inspections.
The move comes at a time when the highway authority has completed construction and widening of most of the stretches under it. There has also been an increased need for the NHAI to work more in managing and maintaining its road assets than building new roads.
As per a circular issued on Friday, the CMUs will be responsible for ensuring smooth traffic flow, removal of encroachments, frequent and periodical inspections, maintenance of way side amenities and roadside plantations. These units will also be tasked with ensuring installation of signboards and other road furniture, regular monitoring of traffic volume at toll plazas and actual ground conditions.
“Since there is huge focus on road safety, these units will monitor the implementation of traffic management and highway safety. They will be responsible for conducting root cause analysis of road crashes and plan mitigation measures,” said an NHAI official.
The authority has also laid down the key performance indicators for officers who will be attached to the CMUs.
