Road ministry to develop wayside amenities on private land

The ministry of road transport and highways plans to develop wayside amenities (WSA) along national highways and expressways on private land through the franchise of National Highways Logistics Management (NHLML), as against the current practice of developing these facilities on government land, due to anticipated surge in demand for such facilities.

The ministry has issued a draft policy for development, operations and management of wayside amenities on private land along national highways and national expressways and has sought comment from stakeholders to firm up the policy.

As per the ministry, NHLML is in the process of establishment of around 900 WSAs on land under the ownership of government of India along the NHs and NEs but there is a need for 5000 such amenities along every stretch of 30-40 kms in either direction of NHs and NEs having a minimum configuration of at least two lanes with paved shoulders.


“Therefore, private sector participation in the establishment of WSAs on the standard template including in the provision of land for the purpose and for the operations and management of the WSA as a franchisee of NHLML would need to be encouraged,” it said in the draft policy issued on Wednesday.

According to the draft policy, NHLML shall act as a nodal agency to issue franchises and will invite offers from private landowner(s) through issue of expression of interest (EoI) for development of WSAs.

The mandatory facilities include at WSAs would include food court and restaurants, convenience store, washroom and toilet facilities, baby care room, drinking water, parking space for cars/buses/trucks, first-aid medical facility, outlets to promote local artisans, affordable dhaba for truckers, resting space and dormitory for drivers and truckers, and washing facilities for cars/buses/trucks, etc.

Besides, the permissible facilities can include fuel station, EV charging station, ATM, self-laundry and cooking facility for truckers, open gym, vehicle spares and repair shops, tourist information desk, telecom towers, etc.

The franchisee company will finance the development, operations and management of the WSA. Further, a nominal monthly franchise concession fee of Rs 100 shall be payable by the franchisee company to NHLML for the first three years after commissioning of the WSA and Rs 25,000 per month from 4th year onwards, indexed annually with 70% weightage to the wholesale price index (WPI) and 30% to the consumer price index (CPI).

“However, if the franchisee company operates and manages the truckers’ facility along with the WSA in accordance with affordability and quality performance indicators specified by NHLML from time to time a discount of 25% shall be provided on the monthly franchise concession fee,” the ministry added.

In case the private land owner or entity is/are not willing to develop, operate and manage the WSA, the land can be offered to NHLML on lease for a period of 30 years and NHLML will develop the WSA through another entity.