NHAI Mandates Vehicle Repair Facilities At Wayside Highway Amenities

NHAI has directed all highway wayside amenities to provide vehicle repair and tyre puncture services

Travelling on India's national highways could soon become much easier for motorists. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed that vehicle repair and tyre puncture repair services must be available at all official wayside amenity locations on national highways and expressways.  Aimed at helping drivers who face unexpected breakdowns or flat tyres, especially on long highway stretches where repair shops are not easily available.

New Direction For Wayside Amenities

The instruction has been issued by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NHAI. According to an official notification, all existing and upcoming wayside amenity locations must provide vehicle repair and tyre puncture repair services. The responsibility of setting up and maintaining these services will rest with the operators and lessees managing these facilities.

Faster Help During Emergencies

A vehicle breakdown or tyre puncture can leave travellers stranded for a long time, particularly in remote areas. With repair services available at highway facilities, motorists will be able to get help much more quickly and continue their journey with less delay.

The new facilities will benefit private vehicle owners, daily commuters, commercial vehicle operators and freight transport companies. They are also expected to help clear stalled vehicles faster, reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety.

More Than 1,000 Facilities Planned

NHLML is developing a large network of modern Wayside Amenities (WSAs) across the country through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. These facilities are operated by private companies under lease agreements ranging from 15 to 30 years.

The plan is to develop more than 1,000 such facilities at key locations across India's highway network. Most of them will be built every 40 km to 60 km along major highways.

At present, 134 wayside amenities are operational, while 511 locations have already been awarded to operators. Another 56 locations are currently under bidding.

Apart from vehicle repair and tyre puncture services, these facilities will also offer restaurants, clean washrooms, fuel stations, EV charging points, medical facilities and dedicated rest areas for truck drivers.

Many of these locations will also include village haats or local marketplaces, giving local artisans an opportunity to showcase and sell their handicrafts.

"In our view, this is a good step by the government. If these repair and tyre puncture services are available at every highway amenity, they can make long road trips much easier for drivers. However, motorists should not depend only on these facilities. It is always a good idea to keep a tyre puncture repair kit in the vehicle, especially while travelling on highways. There are also many easy-to-follow videos online that show how to repair a puncture. Learning this simple skill can help during an emergency and may save valuable time while waiting for roadside assistance."