Chennai, 4 October (H.S.): The Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority (TNSHA) is set to significantly enhance the comfort and safety of long-distance travel across the State by planning a series of modern wayside amenities where motorists can rest, refresh, and refuel. TNSHA has identified seven key locations along busy stretches for development under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, a public-private partnership. The locations span Villupuram, Tiruppur, Tiruvallur, Tirupathur, Salem, Dindigul, and Tiruvannamalai districts, with a tender already floated for the project.

The land parcels designated for these pit stops vary in size, ranging from 0.84 acres in Kalendira, Tirupathur district, to 1.91 acres at Palangarai in Tiruppur district. The new centres are mandated to provide essential amenities, including clean toilets, drinking water, first aid facilities, ATMs, seating areas, and dedicated baby-care rooms. Additionally, they will feature separate parking bays and rest areas for bus crews and truckers, and family-friendly food courts and children’s play zones. Notably, these centres will be the first on the State Highways network to include dedicated charging points for electric vehicles alongside traditional fuel stations.

Officials from the TNSHA stated that the primary aim of the project is to reduce fatigue, improve safety and give travellers a reliable place to halt without leaving the highway, with the ultimate goal of raising Tamil Nadu's highway infrastructure to international standards. As a commitment to public service, essential services like clean drinking water and toilets will be provided free of cost, with concessionaires responsible for maintaining hygienic upkeep.

While seven minimum amenities are mandatory, private developers are also permitted to offer value-added services such as retail shops, repair garages, medical centres, and dormitories. To ensure safety and ease of use, entry and exit points will be designed according to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Indian Roads Congress standards, supported by adequate signage and lighting.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary