(This story originally appeared in on Oct 08, 2017)

NEW DELHI: National Highways Authority of India ( NHAI ) has decided to introduce a robust system to promptly detect accidents and any incidents such as traffic jams or breakdown of vehicles across its stretches. To begin with, the incident management system will cover nearly 11,000 km in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.These stretches will have adequate deployment of ambulances, surveillance vehicles, tow-away cranes at regular intervals. All these will be mapped, connected and controlled by an IT-based regional command centre for real- time detection of incidents and quick response."We have invited bids for the two states. The successful bidders, who implement the projects will have to meet the required service level benchmark. The payment will be linked to performance. The bidders have suggested if we could provide some upfront amount since they have to make huge capital investment in these projects," said an NHAI official.Indian highways claimed over 52,000 lives last year in road crashes. Deaths are high as many of the injured don't get immediate medical care.According to parameters set by NHAI, the operator needs to deploy one 'two patient capacity' ambulance at every 40-45 km or a 'four patient capacity ambulance' at every 100 km.They will have to provide 24X7 surveillance vehicles. These patrolling vehicles should cover the assigned stretch at least once every four hours. The incharge of these vehicles will inform about any incident to the regional centre and police.They will provide mechanical assistance in case of vehicle breakdowns and basic mechanical repairs and will provide fuel and water to stranded motorists enabling them to reach the closest fuel station. The operators will be required to put overhead electronic display to alert users about traffic status on the stretch and other information.