Highways – NHAI Orders Strict Compliance on Service Road Standards

Highways – The National Highways Authority of India has issued fresh directions to its field units, asking them to adhere strictly to approved standards while constructing service and slip roads along national highways.

The step is intended to bring consistency, durability, and better usability to these parallel roads, which play a key role in managing traffic flow and supporting highway connectivity.

Uniform Design to Address Quality Concerns

Service and slip roads often function as feeder routes and provide access to adjoining areas. In many ongoing projects, they have also been handling diverted traffic during highway expansion works. According to officials, extended construction timelines have resulted in these stretches carrying heavier traffic loads than originally planned. This, in several cases, has led to faster wear and tear.

To address the issue, the authority has asked its officials to strictly follow the latest design norms and technical specifications. The aim is to ensure that such roads are built to withstand higher usage and remain functional over a defined lifespan without frequent repairs.

Tender Documents to Reflect Updated Norms

The directive also calls for revisions in project documents where bidding has not yet begun. Officials have been instructed to update the request for proposal and related schedules to align them with the new design framework.

For projects that are already underway, the guidelines may be incorporated where necessary, subject to approval from the competent authority. This flexibility allows adjustments within the existing policy on delegation of powers related to changes in project scope.

Ministry’s Scientific Framework Introduced

The latest push follows detailed design norms issued in November by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The ministry had acknowledged the absence of a comprehensive scientific framework governing the construction of service roads across national highway projects.

The updated norms introduce a formula to calculate the design life of service roads — essentially the period during which they are expected to remain operational without requiring major reconstruction. This approach is intended to promote long-term planning rather than short-term fixes.

Specifications Based on Regional Conditions

The guidelines lay down clear parameters for pavement type and bitumen thickness, taking into account geographical and economic conditions. Areas with high rainfall, industrial clusters, mining belts, defence installations, and economic corridors will require specifications suited to local demands.

Drainage has also been emphasized as a critical component. All service and slip roads must have proper drainage systems with adequate outfall arrangements to prevent waterlogging and structural damage. Ensuring efficient water flow is seen as essential to extending pavement life.

Another key requirement is sequencing. Construction of service roads should be completed before work on the main carriageway begins. This ensures smooth traffic diversion and reduces congestion during highway construction. Once built, these roads must be maintained in accordance with contractual obligations.

Focus on Safety and Long-Term Savings

Officials believe that standardization will improve both safety and cost efficiency. Poorly built or deteriorating service roads can create hazards for local traffic and increase maintenance expenses over time. By incorporating capacity enhancement and lifespan considerations at the design stage, authorities hope to reduce the need for repeated repairs.

Infrastructure experts note that service roads are not merely auxiliary structures but an integral part of highway development. They support local connectivity, provide safer entry and exit points, and help segregate slow-moving vehicles from high-speed traffic.

The authority has underlined that adequate capacity planning must be factored in from the outset. In projects where bids are yet to be invited, necessary amendments to project documentation must be carried out before the tendering process moves forward.

With these measures, the government aims to strengthen the quality of highway infrastructure while ensuring that service and slip roads remain reliable components of the broader transport network.