New Delhi: In a move to bolster road safety and improve construction quality, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued new directives for the installation of Metal Beam Crash Barriers (MBCB) along national highways. These directives mandate strict adherence to standards set by the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for Traffic Safety Barriers, a PIB press release stated.
The NHAI emphasizes that contractors must ensure the crash barriers supplied meet the specifications outlined in the crash test report and are installed following the manufacturer’s recommended methodology. A certificate from the manufacturer confirming the barrier’s compliance with design, standards, and specifications is required. Additionally, contractors must ensure proper ground layer compaction.
To enhance accountability and transparency, the NHAI has directed manufacturers to emboss their brand name, lot/batch number, steel grade, and other relevant details on each MBCB element. A QR code linked to the installation methodology and standard operating procedures (SOP) must also be provided on the barrier, allowing for easy access at the project site.
Authority Engineers and Independent Engineers are responsible for verifying that the technical specifications of the MBCB meet the crash test report’s design standards during the approval process.
The NHAI emphasizes that these measures underscore its commitment to achieving the highest standards in national highway construction. They aim to improve the quality of projects, enhance safety for road users, and hold contractors accountable for delivering quality work.