News
Addressing Widespread Non-Compliance with Work Zone Guidelines in India
The India Chapter of the International Road Federation (IRF-IC) has raised serious concerns over the alarming rise in fatal road crashes linked to unsafe practices at construction sites across the country. The federation warned that widespread non-compliance with basic work zone safety norms is resulting in preventable accidents, especially during night-time travel.
According to the IRF-IC, a significant number of ongoing road projects are being executed without critical safety provisions such advance warning signage, reflective tapes, barricades, cones, and properly marked or illuminated diversions. The absence of these measures coupled with inadequate speed calming mechanisms and lack of flagmen or marshals, particularly during night-time operations, has led to a sharp increase in head-on collisions and wrong side driving incidents.
An alarming incident cited by the IRF-IC occurred on the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, where a fatal head-on collision claimed two lives. The crash resulted from a diversion created by ongoing construction activities that lacked proper lane separation and signage.
To address these recurring safety lapses, IRF-IC has demanded the immediate and rigorous enforcement of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) Work Zone Safety Guidelines having document no. IRC:SP:55 published on January, 2014. These guidelines lay out mandatory provisions for signage, lighting, lane management, and protective barriers in construction zones.
The IRF-IC has urged all stakeholders, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), State Public Works Departments (PWDs), and private contractors to ensure that these standards are strictly followed across all projects.
Beyond enforcement, IRF-IC has recommended a more transparent and accountable system of monitoring work zone safety. The IRF-IC has called for:
- Mandatory safety audits before, during, and after construction phases;
- Public disclosure of work zone plans, diversion maps, and project timelines;
- Strict penalties and criminal accountability in cases where fatalities result from safety violations.
Such measures, IRF-IC believes, will not only enforce compliance but also reassure road users by improving predictability and trust in road management.
India continues to grapple with one of the highest road accident rates globally, with construction zones fast becoming critical danger points. Unless immediate corrective measures are taken, the nation’s ambitious highway development could come at the cost of human lives. Importantly, work zone crashes are not inevitable—they are preventable. Through careful planning, regular safety audits, and strict enforcement of standards, these tragedies can be avoided, making construction sites safer for all road users.
The IRF-IC stresses that compliance with the IRC Work Zone Safety Guidelines must not be viewed as a mere formality but as a binding responsibility for all implementing authorities. Ensuring adherence is vital not only to prevent needless fatalities but also to support the creation of safer, more resilient, and sustainable infrastructure.
