Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has planned to expand the network of Way Side Amenity Centres (WACs) across the state to provide better facilities to highway travellers.
The centres will no longer be limited to national highways. The government has decided to facilitate their development along state highways (SHs) and major district roads (MDRs) as well. In addition, 50 existing WACs built by the Public Works Department (PWD) will be upgraded by adding more facilities.
The decision was discussed at a meeting held on August 6 at the residential office of the Minister of Law, Public Works and Excise. The meeting examined a proposal submitted by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for developing WACs along national highways and other major roads in Odisha.
HPCL has identified five major corridors for developing WACs: NH-16, NH-53, NH-55, NH-143 and NH-316. According to the meeting proceedings, NH-16 records the highest monthly fuel consumption among these corridors, with fuel sales of around 41,747 kilolitres per month.
HPCL is currently developing two WACs at Girisola and Basudevpur in Odisha. Based on this initiative, similar facilities are proposed along other important road corridors. The proposed WACs are planned as integrated highway and energy hubs rather than just fuel stations.
They are expected to provide food and accommodation for travellers, facilities for truck drivers, vehicle services, emergency and safety arrangements, digital services and both conventional and alternative energy facilities. Commercial and tourism-related services may also be incorporated.
The government has stressed the need to identify suitable land, ensure long-term lease arrangements, provide easy road connectivity and obtain the necessary approvals for these projects. The government is also considering the use of unused PWD land for setting up WACs.
The Engineer-in-Chief (Civil-cum-Roads) has been asked to prepare a list of PWD Inspection Bungalows located along state highways and major district roads. Inspection Bungalow premises having at least two acres of unused land will be identified for possible development of WACs.
A similar exercise will be undertaken for PWD Inspection Bungalows located along national highways. Odisha currently has 50 WACs constructed by the PWD, which are under the operation and maintenance of the Tourism Department. The government plans to add more facilities to these centres and make them more useful for travellers. The list of the 50 centres will be shared with oil marketing companies, which will conduct feasibility studies on adding new facilities.
The Tourism Department has also been asked to provide details of the operation and maintenance of these centres to the PWD. Oil marketing companies are expected to increase the minimum land requirement for setting up fuel stations so that these facilities can eventually be expanded into full-fledged WACs.
The availability of additional land would allow fuel stations to add facilities such as rest areas and other traveller services in the future.
The proposed expansion is aimed at making travel on Odisha’s major road corridors safer and more convenient. The WAC network is also expected to encourage tourism and commercial activity along highways and support economic development around major road corridors.