The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines to mitigate the impact of heatwave conditions on workers engaged in highway construction, maintenance, and toll operations across the country.
The measures come in response to ongoing heatwave conditions and above-normal temperatures during the current summer season. The guidelines mandate precautionary steps aimed at safeguarding workforce health while ensuring uninterrupted highway operations and user safety.
For construction and maintenance activities, NHAI has directed contractors and concessionaires to adopt staggered working hours to avoid peak heat periods, typically between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Labour-intensive activities such as asphalt laying and welding are to be scheduled during early morning or late evening hours.
The authority has also made cooling breaks mandatory at regular intervals, with increased frequency during extreme heat alerts. Workers are to be gradually acclimatized over a period of 3 to 5 days, especially new or returning personnel, to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
To strengthen on-site support, contractors have been instructed to provide shaded rest areas with proper ventilation and ensure uninterrupted access to cool drinking water. First-aid stations, patrolling vehicles, and supervisors are required to carry Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and glucose at all times.
In addition, emergency preparedness measures have been enhanced. NHAI patrol ambulances will be equipped with ice packs, cold water, and IV fluids, while Route Patrolling Units will increase monitoring frequency to assist highway users facing heat-related distress or vehicle breakdowns.
For toll plaza operations, the guidelines emphasize minimizing outdoor exposure of personnel during peak heat hours between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM through rotational shifts. Administrative and maintenance activities are to be shifted to night hours wherever feasible.
Cooling infrastructure such as air-conditioned rooms in toll booths, rest areas, and office blocks will be developed. Temporary sheds and awnings are also to be installed to provide shade for personnel working in open areas. Continuous availability of cool drinking water, along with ORS and glucose, has been made mandatory at all toll locations.
To ensure strict implementation, NHAI field officials will conduct weekly inspections across project sites and toll plazas.
The authority stated that these measures are aimed at minimising the adverse effects of extreme heat while maintaining the pace of highway construction and ensuring safe travel conditions for users across the national highway network.
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