National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh on M/s Ravindra Singh Anand, the operations and maintenance agency responsible for the Katghora–Ambikapur section of National Highway 130 (NH-130), for delays in accident response and failure to comply with prescribed operational standards.

The action follows a collision between two truck-trailers near Chotiya Toll Plaza at around 3 a.m. on October 12, 2026. The delayed removal of the damaged vehicles disrupted traffic on the highway, highlighting lapses in emergency response and accident management arrangements.

An assessment of the incident revealed several operational deficiencies on the part of the maintenance agency. The project manager was not present at the accident site, while the absence of a crane operator required for removing the damaged vehicles hampered recovery operations. In addition, inadequate fuel in the recovery equipment further affected the timely clearance of the highway. Despite repeated alerts through the National Highways Helpline 1033, the required assistance was not provided in time.

Considering these shortcomings a failure to discharge prescribed responsibilities relating to accident management, highway patrolling and emergency assistance, NHAI imposed the ₹10 lakh penalty on the agency.

NHAI emphasised that prompt response to road accidents, the availability of essential recovery equipment and timely emergency assistance are mandatory requirements for ensuring safe and uninterrupted traffic movement on national highways. The authority reiterated that lapses in compliance with prescribed operational standards would invite appropriate action under the applicable provisions to ensure accountability among agencies responsible for highway operations and maintenance.

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RDJ/BKT

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