NHAI/Policy Guidelines/……………………/2020

No. …………… dated the 12th June, 2020

Sub.: Adequacy & Effectiveness of Highways Drainage System.

It is observed that in most/ many places, the highway drainage system in the projects is deficient
in view of the following:

(i) DPR Consultants mostly propose stereo type designs/ details of drains in scope of work without
detailed site specific inspection and examining the discharge requirements and mostly PDs & ROs
have been accepting it without pointing out impracticability of such proposals of drainage.

(ii) The outfalls are also not taken into consideration in most of the places and the drains are not
connected to proper outfalls.

(iii) Water Harvesting Wells provided in Box Drains are ill designed/ poorly maintained and frequently
blocked/ chocked, thus unable to intake rain water, causing stagnation of water/ filth, in & around
drains and also damaging the pavements of Highways/ Service Lanes.

(iv) In built-up/ urban areas, ensuring smooth traffic flow is important to avoid congestion, but in many
places the wrong drain locations are obstructing the smooth flow of traffic leading thereby to traffic
jams/ congestions. Most traffic movement friendly options have not been implemented.

(v) In rural areas with low lying fields on sides where discharge can infiltrate naturally, stereo type
drains are being constructed just because a provision was made in the original scope of work without
looking at the need or usefulness of drains in such areas.

(vi) Uneven, poorly constructed ugly looking covers over the drains can be seen at almost every location
of drain, spoiling the look of the highway. The covers are frequently broken leading to unsafe
conditions, as drain cover serves as footpath also at many places. The poorly constructed drains,
with frequently broken covers and with no outlets, have become waterlogged and mosquito breeding
places, resulting in filthy looking sites.

(vii) Very heavy covers which are impossible/ difficult to be lifted manually, making cumbersome to
clean the drains.

(viii) No integration is made with the municipal storm water drainage system in urban areas thereby
leading to low or no utility of these drains leading to flooding in these areas.

(ix) The inlets of drains are higher than the road surface in many places leading to water logging and
no/ low utility of these drains.

(x) The natural drains in the area which are crossing the road have been blocked by the longitudinal
highway drain without giving any thought for their integration thereby stopping the natural drainage
system and flooding the area.

(xi) Due to the above reasons, by making stereo type drains, we are wasting public money and moreover
adding to the problems of traffic jam and also creating dangerous and waterlogged filthy sites and
damaging pavement of highways.
2. In view of above, it has been decided as under

(i) Under Construction Projects :

(a) The drains under construction in all projects may be stopped immediately on “as is where is basis”
but by making the locations safe to avoid any accident. In each project, the length of different
types of drains constructed as on date and the balance lengths to be constructed may immediately
be loaded on Data Lake Portal.
(b) PD shall hire a Drainage Expert through AE/IE immediately. If Drainage Expert is not available
locally, PD will ask RO to provide one Drainage Expert. The Drainage Expert through AE/IE shall
review the drainage plan and prepare a new plan specific to each location. Please note that
different stretches within a town may have different drainage plan depending upon drain invert
levels, discharge, project road terrain/ gradient, adjoining storm water drains/ outfalls of local
bodies, etc. The new drainage plan so developed shall be submitted to RO within 15 days.
Simultaneously, the same shall be shared with the local municipal bodies, Development Authority,
etc. along the project highway (if applicable) for vetting/ comments so that it is integrated with
the local municipal drainage system and is properly utilized.
(c) ROs may empanel 2-3 Drainage Experts (Retired Engineers from local bodies etc.) as per EP Policy
of NHAI initially on nomination basis for 1 year to save time and simultaneously start recruitment
process as per EP Policy. These Experts will review the drainage plan of the project proposed by
AE/IE & PD duly considering the comments/ suggestions of the local municipal bodies. After their
review, RO may send such drainage plans to HQ within 15 days.

(d) The drainage plans received from PD & RO, project-wise, would be examined by Tech. Divisions
and approved by Member concerned within 15 days of receipt.

(ii) Projects where LoA issued or bids received : DPR Consultant, PD, RO & Tech. Division may
review the Drainage Plans as above at Para-2(i)(b) & (c);

(iii) Projects where bids invited, but yet to be received : The Drainage Plan may be prepared as in Para-
2(iv) below and a corrigendum may be issued to include the Drainage Plan as part of Scope of Project
and then only bids may be received.
(iv) Projects where DPRs in progress & bids are yet to be invited :
(a) DPRs should be submitted in two volumes (Main and Drainage Plan separately);
(b) Preferably underground drains with well sized and well spaced manholes may be provided to
take care of cleaning. Wherever possible self-cleaning cross-section of drains may be adopted.
(c) Drainage Plan in DPR will go through Peer Review of Drainage Experts of Regional Officer. The
Drainage Plan will also be vetted by one Traffic Expert so that these drains do not hinder free
flow of traffic.
(d) Drainage Plan in DPR will be shared with and got vetted by local body/ Development Authority
etc. so that Drainage Plan is totally integrated with the local body Drainage Plan.
(e) The cross-sections of drains being shown presently in Schedule-B (Typical Cross Sections) &
details of drains being mentioned in Schedule-C (length & type of drains) shall not be mentioned
in future as it will vary from location to location based on drainage plan. The scope of drains in
the project shall be on the basis of Drainage Plan drawn at each location and such Drainage Plan
shall be made part of Scope of Project.

(Amarendra Kumar)
Chief General Manager (Coord.)
All Officers at HQ/ROs/PIUs/CMUs/Site Offices.