Akhilesh Srivastava Makes Way for Smart Highways

1. Akhilesh Srivastava Makes Way for Smart Highways Vishwakarma recipient and Chief General Manager of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Akhilesh Srivastava, is transforming highways into smart networks by spearheading the construction of NHAI’s major projects such as Wayside Amenities (WSA). The project is being implemented in compliance with global standards. CGM Akhilesh Srivastava launched the Wayside Amenities project to enhance motorists’ experience on highways and modernise highway infrastructure. Under the Wayside Amenities project, Srivastava is implementing three structures to facilitate basic, moderate, and advanced amenities to highway users - Highway Nest, Highway Nest (Mini), and Highway Village. The CGM of the NHAI proposed the three WSAs to facilitate amenities such as branded restaurants, round-the-clock ATMs, fuel stations, kiosks for eatery, restrooms, parking lots, helipads, and many more. The first structure of the Wayside Amenities project, Highway Nest (Mini), will provide civic facilities such as ATMs, drinking water, and others on highways. Srivastava, with the assistance of his team at the NHAI, is implementing the first leg of the Amenities project across the major national highways in the country. The second structure of the Wayside Amenities project, the Highway Village, is proposed to be constructed on NHAI-owned sites. The Village, constructed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), will serve advanced amenities on land measuring over 5 acres. The third structure of the Wayside Amenities project, Highway Nest, will facilitate amenities similar to the Mini, but at a much larger scale. Srivastava and his team are implementing Highway Nest in several places along the national highways. Srivastava is Revolutionising commuter experience by removing bottlenecks in the arterial network. The Wayside Amenities allows seamless travel for commuters by facilitating a wide range of amenities alongside national highways. Besides constructing WSAs, Mr Srivastava is aiding the Centre’s Digital India initiative by introducing a mobile highway-utility application - Sukhad Yatra - for highway users. The built-in tools of the application enable users to locate nearby amenities and routes on highways. With Sukhad Yatra, commuters can locate highways, restaurants, ATMs, and other wayside amenities on highways. Sukhad Yatra allows NHAI and its administrators to know about the public concerns and grievances. Using the mobile highway-utility app, users can directly post highway issues and give feedback. The application also allows motorists to pay their Toll fee electronically by providing them with an option to buy FASTag stickers. CGM Akhilesh Srivastava also introduced Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and is working towards the implementation of the Road Asset Management System in the Highways Network of India. He launched LiDAR, and industrial drones to get detailed reports on projects. To safeguard highway commuter’s journey, Srivastava launched a 24x7 National Highways Helpline - 1033. Recognising the Srivastava’s contributions to the nation, the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) recently conferred on him the CIDC Vishwakarma lifetime-achievement award. The NHAI CGM dedicated more than a decade for his career towards the development of the country’s highways network. Currently, the CGM of NHAI is heading an umbrella project called Bharatmala Pariyojana to construct new highways and economic corridors and subsume all ongoing highway projects. #SmartHighways #AkhileshSrivastava #WaysideAmenities #SukhadYatra