The facts put forth by the India Chapter of the International Road Federation should serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders involved in highway development across the country. The systemic non-adherence to basic work zone safety norms is not just a matter of negligence-it is a blatant disregard for human life. Across India, thousands of kilometres of roads are being built and expanded as part of the infrastructure push. Yet, most of these construction zones resemble hazard zones rather than future lifelines. Diversions are either poorly marked or unlit, warning signs are absent, and reflective tapes or cones-essential for nighttime visibility-are missing. Even the simplest measures, like deploying flagmen or marshals or setting up proper barricades, are routinely ignored.
This culture of cutting corners, primarily to save costs, is endangering countless commuters daily. Construction sites often feature exposed pillars and slabs, which not only cause dust pollution but also pose severe visibility and collision risks. Temporary alternative routes are often haphazard or nonexistent, and the absence of well-illuminated diversion signals at night turns highways into death traps. The cost of this neglect is steep-not only in financial terms but more crucially in human lives. Small vehicle users, especially two-wheeler riders and hatchback drivers, stand little chance in the event of a crash with heavy vehicles in these poorly managed zones.
What’s worse is the growing impression of unofficial consent. Contractors brazenly bypass safety protocols, while highway authorities often look the other way. This nexus of silent approval must be broken. The need of the hour is the institutionalisation of third-party safety audits for all ongoing road construction projects. Independent audits can ensure compliance, accountability, and transparency-pushing both contractors and Government agencies to prioritise safety. Furthermore, penalties for non-compliance must be strictly enforced. With India’s highways expanding at a record pace, it is imperative to match this progress with a safety-first mindset. It is time to make safety an uncompromising standard-not an optional expense.
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