The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday signed an agreement with a construction company to construct animal shelters on national highways in a pilot project to prevent accidents related to stray cattle.
The first shelter will be constructed on UP-Haryana border at Kharkhoda bypass on NH-334B up to Rohna section. Shelters will also be constructed on Bhiwani-Hansi section of NH-148B at Hansi Bypass in Haryana; Kiratpur-Ner Chowk section of NH-21 in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh; and Dangiawas-Jaziwal section of Jodhpur Ring Road on NH-112 in Rajasthan.
While NHAI will provide the land for these shelters, the project will be executed by Gawar Construction Limited, the existing concessionaire or contractor of these national highways. The construction firm will maintain these shelters by providing first aid, adequate feed, water and caretakers throughout the concession period, ensuring the welfare of the animals.
NHAI chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said, “This is another step forward in NHAI’s commitment to not only create safer national highways for commuters by enhancing road safety, but also fulfills the humanitarian need to care for stray cattle/animals.”
Ravindra Gawar, director of Gawar Construction Limited, said that he is ready to extend this initiative to other concessionaire (highway) projects as well.
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