Convenience clusters: NHAI to auction 33 sites soon

New Delhi: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will soon bid out 33 sites across national highways in the country for its ambitious projects of way/road side amenities where convenience clusters for travellers will be build.

The sites shortlisted are Dongargaon in Nagpur, Ramanthapur in Tamil Nadu, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Golara in Uttar Pradesh.

As per the wayside amenities policy being prepared by the road ministry along with NHAI which is in its final stage the sites would be allotted on build operate transfer, or BOT, basis to the concessionaires for a span of 20 years extendable by 10 years.

A senior NHAI official requesting anonymity said, “We are working out the financial model for the project and once we get clearance from the ministry we would be going ahead with the tendering process. We expect it to be rolled out within a month as our target is the current fiscal.” He added that the facilities in all the three types would be different depending on the need of the site.

There will also be helipads at these spots for quick evacuation of accident victims to nearest hospitals along with employment opportunities for the local population and provision for villager to sell their produce in the market.

National Highways Authority of India