31.12.2016. In view of the same, NHAI has proposed the underpass in the proposed location. Number of underpasses were constructed on the highway so that the people and the cattle can easily go from one side to another side of the highway without collision/ accidents. Wherever the underpasses are provided, the rate of road accidents have come down drastically and the road users are safer on the road. The present construction of pedestrian underpass is not meant for vehicular under pass as the height and width of the underpass is only 2.5 meters and 4 meters, respectively. As per the agreement, there are about 25 vehicular underpasses and 22 pedestrian underpasses to be constructed. The proposed underpass is for the benefit of the public but not for the benefit of concessionaire or to the NHAI. The existing underpass is at KM 1323.950, which is about 510 meters away from the proposed location from the underpass. As per the norms of the Manual of Specifications and Standards for Six Laning of National Highways through PPP published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Clause No.2.2.5 under the Head Facilities of Pedestrians and Cyclists - ‘the crossing facilities shall be provided through underpasses such that unless otherwise specified in Schedule-B pedestrians do not have to walk for more than 0.5 KM to reach the crossing point’. Since, a writ petition was filed by the petitioners in WP No.3901 of 2015 on the ground that it is causing inconvenience to them, the underpass which was proposed in front of the petitioners’ fields, was dropped and now the underpass is being proposed in front of the cross road and just opposite to the straight road coming from the village and going to the other side of the village but not in front of the petitioners’ fields.
