Plush motels, branded restaurants and helipads to hit Indian highways soon

Travelling on the highways is set to be a smoother and more interesting affair -- a la 'Rajmarg villages' based on the concept of rest areas -- at every 50 km that will be equipped with plush motels, bazaar, branded restaurants, fuel stations, kids' playground, and in some places, a helipad.

Land for 78 sites is already under possession of the National Highways Authority of India (Photo: FreeImages.com/ Kevin Turcotte - for representational purpose only)

According to a plan being finalised by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry, the Rajmarg villages would cater to car and bus passengers as well as truckers.

The ministry has worked out three options - a combined facility for truckers and bus and car passengers which will also have a provision of helipad -- a separate one for "bus and car users" and one for "truckers."

A ministry official told IANS that 425 sites along highways are being earmarked of which 167 are being considered for development of such wayside villages.

Of the 167, 33 sites have already been identified. These include seven in Bengaluru on NH-4, NH-63, NH-13 and NH-7; six sites in Chennai -- on NH-7, 49 and 205 and six sites around Lucknow along NH-2, NH-28 and NH-25.

Five such sites have been identified for Bhopal, two each in Mumbai, Jaipur, Patna and Thiruananthpuram and one in Hyderabad.

Comprehensive facilities for Car/ Bus users and Truckers (Photo: IANS)

Land for 78 sites is already under possession of the NHAI while for 19 sites additional land is required.

For 44 sites, land acquisition is under process, while for 12 sites it is ready to be leased, an official said.

Besides necessary facilities like toilets and parking, these halting or resting points will also offer recreational options for weary travellers and provide options for a short stay.  - IANS