Open toilets in petrol pumps along NHs for public use, failing which NOC will be withdrawn for entry from highway: Gadkari | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that the owners of pumping gasoline by national highways If they do not maintain and open their toilets for public use, they may face cancellation of NOCs for the access roads leading to their establishments.
“I urge all these petrol pump owners to unlock their toilets. Otherwise we will withdraw NOC and then not complain. If you don’t maintain them properly, you will get a bad rating from a third party and action will be taken,” Gadkari said.
He spoke at the launch of NHAI‘S Humsafar Policya framework to ensure that commuters have access to standardized, well-maintained and hygienic facilities by involving both existing and emerging service providers along National Highways (NHs) and expressways.
The minister said that highway agencies are giving NOC to petrol pumps to get entry from NHs and one of the conditions is that pumps will provide toilet facilities to commuters and maintain them.
“I have checked such toilets several times myself, but usually found them locked. Ordinary people cannot use them. We will cancel NOCs for not fulfilling this condition,” Gadkari said.
As per the Humsafar policy, commuters can instantly find details of service providers near their location through the ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app. The app also allows them to report problems and rate the service and facilities provided. Registered service providers can be exempt from renewal fees for access rights if they maintain an average rating of ‘three’ or higher.
Gadkari said highway agencies have woken up very late to address the concerns of people traveling by buses and truck drivers. “I always told our officers that there are no proper toilet facilities for women for hundreds of kilometres. It is our responsibility to make the journey pleasant and safe while building roads is our mandate,” he said.
Highlighting a common experience of office goers and visitors, Gadkari said if anyone wants a review of a government office, he should visit the toilets. “You will find 90% of them in bad condition,” the minister said, adding that the NHAI should not consider the development of roadside facilities (WSAs) as a revenue model.
He suggested that the road authority could engage an independent entity to maintain the facilities, conduct dynamic assessments based on user feedback and take action.