In order to make the journey on National Highways smooth and safe, the central government on Tuesday initiated a special drive to remove all sorts of speed breakers on National Highways.
The government has taken the step to ensure smooth and hassle-free traffic movement, especially at toll plazas across the country.
“With the effective implementation of FASTag on toll plazas and conversion of cash toll lanes to FASTag lanes, the speed breakers/ rumble strips constructed at toll plazas are being removed with immediate effect for smooth vehicular movement,” said the ministry of road transport and highways.
Along with other parts of the country, the people in Northeast India also have bitter experience of travelling on the National Highways where the travelers face speed breakers.
The ministry has admitted that the speed breakers result in considerable delay, damage to the vehicles and significant discomfort to vehicle occupants and more fuel consumption due to acceleration and deceleration.
With the initiative of the ministry of road transport and highways, it is hoped that the travel on the highways would become smooth.
“This initiative will save time, money and facilitate smooth vehicular movement especially to ambulances, elderly and unwell people commuting on National Highways. In the larger context, this will also ensure avoidable wastage of transportation fuel for which country is heavily import-dependent, and will also result in lesser pollution,” the ministry said.
It also said at certain locations, control of speed becomes necessary to promote orderly traffic movement and improved safety.
“Roads of different categories and under different situations are designed for designated speeds at which vehicles can travel with convenience and safety,” it added.
“Considering the fact that National Highways are designed to cater to high-speed traffic without any hindrance, the drive to remove speed breakers from national highways under the jurisdiction of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI),” said the ministry.
Electronic Toll Collection through FASTag has been implemented from December 15, 2019, to provide commotion-free movement on highways.
Positive effects of ETC are being realized by the commuters on toll plazas.
“Introduction of speed breakers-free highways is another step in commitment to provide safe, smooth and seamless journey to commuters on National Highways,” the ministry further said.