Wayside amenities: More than  1,000 sites are planned to be awarded in 2024-2025, out of which 198 wayside amenities (WSAs) have already been awarded, and 162 WSAs are under bidding stage, the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway said in its release. 

The Ministry has planned the development of state-of-the-art Wayside Amenities (WSA) at about every 40 kms along the National Highways on PPP mode.  

“These facilities are aimed to provide multiple options of rest and refreshment for the highway commuters during their journey. Some of the mandatory facilities being developed at each WSA are fuel stations,” the release stated. 

According to the release, EV charging stations, food court / restaurants, dhabas, convenience stores, clean and hygienic toilet facilities, drinking water, first aid / medical room including childcare room, dedicated area for promoting local artisans, car/bus/truck parking, drone landing facilities / helipad. 

The release also highlighted that these WSAs will offer huge opportunities for investors, developers, operators and retailers. All upcoming Greenfield Access-controlled Highway projects are provisioned to have Wayside Amenities essentially, which will also promote local economy by generating employment opportunities and help local people to market their unique products/ handicrafts etc. at village haats developed at these places. 

Utility Corridors

Working towards development of around 10,000 km of Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) infrastructure across the country by FY25, National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a fully owned Company of NHAI, is implementing the network of Digital Highways by developing integrated utility corridors along the National Highways to develop OFC infrastructure. 

Around 1,367 km on Delhi – Mumbai Expressway and 512 km on Hyderabad - Bangalore Corridor have been identified for the Digital Highway Development.