Steps include enhanced visibility, safety awareness campaigns, and increased patrols
In an effort to improve road safety during the winter months, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has rolled out a series of proactive measures aimed at combating the challenges posed by reduced visibility due to fog on National Highways. The measures, which focus on both engineering upgrades and safety awareness, are designed to protect drivers and ensure smooth traffic flow during hazardous conditions.
Under the newly introduced plan, NHAI will focus on two primary categories: Engineering Measures and Safety Awareness Initiatives.
The Engineering Measures will focus on improving road visibility by addressing issues such as missing or damaged road signs, faded pavement markings, and insufficient safety devices. Among the enhancements are the installation of reflective markers and median markers, as well as the provision of transverse bar markings in high-risk zones, such as near habitations and accident-prone areas. Solar-powered blinkers will be added at median openings, and hazard markers will be replaced at key diverging and merging locations to increase visibility.
In addition, the Safety Awareness Initiatives aim to keep drivers informed about fog-related risks through various communication tools. Variable Message Signs (VMS) will display alerts on foggy weather conditions, along with speed limit advisories. Public Address Systems will further warn drivers to limit their speeds to 30 km/h in foggy stretches. NHAI will also utilize electronic billboards, radio broadcasts, and social media channels to share safety messages. At toll plazas and wayside amenities, pamphlets with fog safety tips will be distributed, and reflective tapes will be placed on the full width of vehicles to enhance their visibility.
To ensure the effective implementation of these measures, NHAI has mandated regular night-time inspections of highways by a team consisting of NHAI officials, Independent Engineers, and Concessionaires. These inspections will help identify areas where additional safety provisions, such as further signage or lighting, may be needed.
NHAI will also deploy Highway Patrol vehicles to monitor dense fog areas and manage traffic flow. Patrol teams will carry red/green blinking batons to guide drivers during accidents, and will coordinate with local law enforcement, ambulance services, and municipal authorities to ensure a prompt response in emergencies. Joint drills with traffic police are also being planned to streamline coordination during fog-related incidents.
These initiatives come in response to NHAI’s previous delegation of financial powers to field offices, enabling them to take immediate corrective action in accident-prone areas. The comprehensive plan underscores NHAI’s commitment to ensuring a safer travel experience for highway users during the foggy winter months, aiming to mitigate the risks associated with reduced visibility and enhance the overall safety of the National Highways.
