Why new service road rules will raise costs

India’s highway projects are set to become more expensive after the government mandated that service roads and slip roads must be built to the same standards as the main carriageways.

- Subhash Narayan

Average per-km cost for maintenance on service roads will be higher than for service roads.

(MINT)

The new guidelines—notified by the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH)—require developers to repair, strengthen or fully construct service roads before work begins on the main highways. While the move may improve safety, durability and construction speed, it will also push up road project costs.

MoRTH’s new guidelines require service roads and slip roads along national highways to follow the same design parameters as the main carriageways. Until now, there were no standard norms for service roads, resulting in thinner road surfaces and more potholes.