Mangaluru: Do you wish to sip some
coffee and have a quick bite while you pay toll at
National Highway toll gates? Your wish will come true as the National Highway Authority of India (
NHAI) has planned to set up a ‘highway nest (mini)’, a small
kiosk, just 200 metres away from the booth.
One such kiosk has become operational at Brahmarakotlu toll gate in Bantwal, situated on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru National Highway. In undivided Dakshina Kannada, there are five toll gatesat Brahmarakootlu, Surathkal, Talapady, Hejamady and Sastan. Work is under way at Surathkal and other toll gates to set up such kiosks, and the same will be replicated in all toll booths across the country.
All these kiosks will sell drinking water, tea/coffee, and packaged food for the convenience of highway users. According to the NHAI, kiosks are under construction on both the sides of the toll plazas. These kiosks are being built on 10 m x 20 m paved platforms, about 200-250 metres from the toll plaza. Toilet facilities for men, women and the physically-challenged will be available at these sites.
Highways village is in offing
Meanwhile, the NHAI was also invited for a proposal for the process of developing wayside amenities at land acquired at locations along National Highways. The amenities will provide rest and refreshment for those travelling on the highway. Named as ‘Highway Village’, it will have parking facilities for cars, buses and trucks, restaurant/food court, dhaba, fuel station, minor repair shop, rest rooms for passengers, dormitories for drivers, kiosks for sale of miscellaneous sundry items, and other amenities. The facilities will be set up on an area of around five acres.
The ministry of road transport and highways plans to develop a network of amenities every 50 km on the national highways. More than 1,000 such amenities are expected to come up across the country. Individuals owning land along the National Highway are requested to come forward and participate. The ministry has said these wayside amenities will not only benefit travellers on the highway, but also the local population.
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