All the necessary signboards, direction boards, kilometre stones, guard stones, etc. should be provided. Particular attention is required on vertical geometry also.

As per the current practice, under MNP, the width of the metal carriageway is only 3 metres. This is sufficient for cart traffic. However, for faster moving motor vehicle traffic and particularly for bigger vehicles like trucks and buses this width is not enough particularly when the vehicles in opposite directions have to cross each other. The result is that the edges of the metalled or black topped carriageway get cut and progressively the width of the carriageway goes on reducing. Eventually, the entire width deteriorates. It is, therefore, suggested that the width of the carriageway should be kept at least 3.70m similar to that of a single lane carriageway of ODRs/MDRs etc. Extra cost on this account could be about 8%.

The width of the earthwork should be 7.5metres as per IRC standards. However, in some States it is the practice to go in for 6 metres wide or even 5metres wide formation width for village roads. This makes the road difficult to negotiate, particularly in rainy season. Since edges of the formation get eroded eventually, the available width of traffic becomes insufficient for 2 vehicles to cross each other. The

extra cost due to the earthwork (from 6 metres to 7.5 metres) is not very substantial. It is, therefor, suggested that Government should adopt 7.5 metres as the width of the formation for these roads. Extra cost on this account could be about 4 to 5%. A via media would be provide 7.5 metres width selectively.

All the culverts, i.e., the Cross Drainage Works with a water way of less than 6 meters length will of course be constructed. It is further suggested that Government should construct all minor bridges on all streams, which cause interruption to traffic. Whether to construct a high level bridge or a submersible bridge should be decided on the basis of duration of interruption to traffic which are considered acceptable. Today, as per the practice prevalent, interruption of 23 hours at a time and up to six times in a year is considered permissible in the case of ODRs, and in the case of VRs, interruptions up to 3 days at a time and up to 6 times in a year are considered permissible. A conscious decision will have to be taken regarding the permissible interruption in view of the stated objectives of the Government in setting up this Committee.