NHAI plans to develop “wayside amenities” at more than 600 locations on National Highways and Expressways such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway by the financial year 2024-25 to ensure a better commuting experience for travellers.

The amenities will include numerous facilities for passengers such as Fuel Station, Electric Charging Facilities, Food Court, Retail Shops, Bank ATM, Children Play Area, Medical Clinic, Childcare room, Toilets with shower facility, Vehicle repair facility, Driver Dormitory and Village Hatt for promotion of local handicrafts, according to an NHAI statement.

Eventually wayside amenities will be developed every 40-60 km of current and upcoming National Highways and Expressways, the statement added.

NHAI has already awarded 160 wayside amenities for development, out of about 150 have been awarded in the last two years. Another 150 wayside amenities are planned to be awarded in the next financial year, which includes Greenfield corridors like Amritsar-Bathinda – Jamnagar Corridor, Delhi – Mumbai Expressway and Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.  At present, 75 Wayside Amenities sites across multiple Brownfield and Greenfield Corridors are open for bidding at www.etenders.gov.in.

These sites are spread across eight states which include 27 in Rajasthan, 18 in Madhya Pradesh, 9 in J&K and 3 in Himachal Pradesh.