Gandhinagar: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken up a major initiative to reduce road accidents and improve passenger safety on one of the busiest routes in the state. The authority has invited tenders for the implementation of short-term safety measures at identified High Fatality Zones and Critical Crash-Prone Locations on the NH-48 section between Ahmedabad (km 6.400) and Vadodara (km 108.700).

The work is estimated to cost ₹8,51,34,050 (excluding GST). Under the project, safety infrastructure will be strengthened across six high-fatality zones and 25 serious accident-prone locations, covering a total stretch of 102.300 km. The project will be undertaken on a ‘Single Percentage Item Rate’ basis.

Key safety measures planned

According to the tender documents, the project includes modern road safety equipment and facilities such as:

• • Signboards: Installation of special, mandatory, and overhead gantry signboards at accident-prone locations.

• • Solar technology: Provision of solar blinkers and high-mast solar lighting to improve night-time visibility.

• • Road markings: Bar markings (10 mm height) and hot-applied thermoplastic markings for better speed control.

• • Crash barriers: Placement of RCC New Jersey crash barriers in medians and other required locations.

• • Additional equipment: Solar road studs, median markers, and water-filled barricades to enhance safety.

Tender and implementation timeline

NHAI has invited bids from experienced firms through the e-tendering process. The last date for tender submission is February 19, 2026 (up to 12:00 PM), while technical bids are scheduled to open on February 20, 2026.

The selected contractor will be required to complete the work within four months (120 days). A defect liability period has also been specified, 10 years for road signs and three years for pavement markings.

The contractor must appoint qualified personnel such as a Project Manager, Site Engineer, and Incident Manager for smooth execution. Emergency support services, including highway patrol, ambulance facilities, and tow-away cranes, will also be arranged for immediate response in case of accidents.

The initiative is expected to significantly enhance safety for lakhs of motorists travelling daily between Ahmedabad and Vadodara. DeshGujarat