Centre to set up vehicle repair hubs across highways
Car drivers travelling with families need not worry any longer about getting stranded after their vehicles break down on highways. The Centre is soon setting up repair hubs at designated zones. The move comes amid growing traffic volumes on national highways and expressways, where a lack of nearby repair facilities often leaves motorists stranded for extended periods following tyre punctures or mechanical failures. The move is aimed at improving roadside assistance for motorists and freight operators travelling across the country’s highway network.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed operators of wayside amenities (WSAs) along national highways and expressways to prioritise the establishment of vehicle repair shops and puncture repair facilities.
The move is aimed at improving roadside assistance for motorists and freight operators travelling across the country’s highway network.
The NHAI said it has been observed that a larger number of vehicles and puncture repair services are required on several National Highways and Expressways, which will enable highway users to avail themselves of timely mechanical assistance during breakdowns and emergencies, avoiding inconvenience, delays, and potential safety concerns.
For highway users, a tyre puncture or minor mechanical issue often means searching for assistance in unfamiliar areas, particularly on newly developed expressways. Greater availability of repair facilities at designated highway amenities could help reduce waiting times and improve safety for both private vehicle owners and commercial fleet operators.
The move is aimed at improving the overall National Highway travel experience, reducing vehicle downtime, enhancing road safety and ensuring prompt assistance to commuters as well as freight operators travelling on the National Highway corridors.
NHLML is currently developing a network of modern wayside amenities across the country under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. These facilities are being built on a long-term lease basis and are designed to serve both passenger vehicle (PV) users and commercial transport operators.
Under existing concession agreements, operators of wayside amenities are already permitted to establish vehicle repair shops and puncture repair facilities in addition to mandatory services. NHAI has now asked its field offices to encourage lessees to develop these facilities at the earliest. Vehicle Repair Shops and Puncture Repair Facilities are among the approved permissible facilities under the contractual framework.
The authority said the repair and assistance services will complement its broader objective of creating user-centric highway infrastructure and providing seamless mobility services to road users.
These WSAs are envisioned as integrated service hubs that provide essential amenities to commuters and commercial vehicle operators on National Highways and Expressways. Development of such facilities will complement the broader objective of creating world-class National Highway infrastructure and delivering seamless mobility services to National Highway users.
