NEW DELHI: Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said owners of petrol pumps along national highways not maintaining and opening their toilets for public use, could face cancellation of NOCs for access roads leading to their establishments.
“I urge all such petrol pump owners to unlock their toilets. Otherwise, we will withdraw NOC and then don’t complain. If you don’t maintain them properly you will get a bad rating by a third party entity and action will be taken,” Gadkari said.
He was speaking at the launch of NHAI ’s Humsafar policy , a framework to ensure commuters have access to standardised, well-maintained, and hygienic facilities by onboarding both existing and upcoming service providers along national highways (NHs) and expressways.
The minister said highway agencies give NOC to petrol pumps to get access from NHs, and one of the conditions is that pumps will provide toilet facilities to commuters and maintain them.
“Several times I have checked such toilets myself, but found them mostly locked. Common people can’t use them. We will cancel NOCs for failing to comply with this condition,” Gadkari said.
Under the Humsafar policy, commuters will be able to find details of service providers near their location instantly on the ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app. The app will also allow them to report issues and rate the service provided, and facilities. Registered service providers will be able to avail a waiver of renewal fees for access permissions, if they maintain an average rating of ‘three’ or higher.
Gadkari said highway agencies woke up very late to address the concerns of people who travel by bus and of truck drivers. “I used to tell our officers that for hundreds of kilometres there are no good toilet facilities for women. It’s our responsibility to make the journey pleasant and safe, while building roads is our mandate,” he said.
Flagging a common experience of office-goers and visitors, Gadkari said if someone wants an assessment of a govt office, he must visit its toilets. “You will find 90% of them in bad condition,” the minister said, adding that the NHAI should not look at developing wayside amenities (WSAs) as a revenue model.
He suggested that the highway authority can engage an independent entity to maintain facilities and carry out dynamic rating based on users' feedback and take action.
“I urge all such petrol pump owners to unlock their toilets. Otherwise, we will withdraw NOC and then don’t complain. If you don’t maintain them properly you will get a bad rating by a third party entity and action will be taken,” Gadkari said.
He was speaking at the launch of NHAI ’s Humsafar policy , a framework to ensure commuters have access to standardised, well-maintained, and hygienic facilities by onboarding both existing and upcoming service providers along national highways (NHs) and expressways.
The minister said highway agencies give NOC to petrol pumps to get access from NHs, and one of the conditions is that pumps will provide toilet facilities to commuters and maintain them.
“Several times I have checked such toilets myself, but found them mostly locked. Common people can’t use them. We will cancel NOCs for failing to comply with this condition,” Gadkari said.
Under the Humsafar policy, commuters will be able to find details of service providers near their location instantly on the ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app. The app will also allow them to report issues and rate the service provided, and facilities. Registered service providers will be able to avail a waiver of renewal fees for access permissions, if they maintain an average rating of ‘three’ or higher.
Gadkari said highway agencies woke up very late to address the concerns of people who travel by bus and of truck drivers. “I used to tell our officers that for hundreds of kilometres there are no good toilet facilities for women. It’s our responsibility to make the journey pleasant and safe, while building roads is our mandate,” he said.
Flagging a common experience of office-goers and visitors, Gadkari said if someone wants an assessment of a govt office, he must visit its toilets. “You will find 90% of them in bad condition,” the minister said, adding that the NHAI should not look at developing wayside amenities (WSAs) as a revenue model.
He suggested that the highway authority can engage an independent entity to maintain facilities and carry out dynamic rating based on users' feedback and take action.
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