Patna: The Bihar Road Construction Department has introduced revised bidding documents for road maintenance works, placing stronger emphasis on road safety measures and compliance with national standards set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Under the new framework, contractors will now be responsible not only for repairing roads but also for installing and maintaining safety infrastructure across the network.
Reflective Signage Mandatory
The bidding conditions make it compulsory for agencies to install reflective signage along roadsides. These signs must comply with prescribed technical specifications to ensure visibility during night-time travel.
Contractors will also be responsible for maintaining existing reflective boards and ensuring their quality remains intact over time.
Kilometre Milestones Standardised
The department has issued detailed instructions regarding kilometre milestones to be installed along roads. New milestones will be placed where required, while damaged ones will be repaired or replaced.
All milestones must conform to standards prescribed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to ensure consistency in distance marking and traveller information.
Warning Signs at Hazardous Locations
To reduce road accidents, the guidelines mandate warning signage at accident-prone and sensitive locations, including sharp bends, culverts and bridges.
Warning boards will also be installed at the starting points of roads and bridges. Speed breakers must be accompanied by proper cautionary signage wherever constructed.
Guide Posts at Junctions
Guide posts will be compulsory at intersections and road convergence points. These will indicate directions and distances to nearby towns, cities and villages.
Officials said the measure is intended to reduce confusion among road users and improve navigational clarity.
Increased Accountability Framework
Under the revised policy, road maintenance agencies will be held accountable for full compliance with safety standards, extending beyond routine repair work.
The department said the initiative is aimed at improving overall road safety and ensuring more reliable travel conditions across Bihar’s road network.
