The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to enhance road safety along a critical stretch of National Highway-16 in Andhra Pradesh by installing solar-powered lights at 37 accident-prone locations. The project, with an estimated cost of ₹6.75 crore, will cover a 197-km section of the highway, specifically from Icchapuram to Anandapuram, passing through Narasannapeta and Ranasthalam. This initiative aims to significantly improve visibility during night hours, thereby reducing the risk of accidents in identified black spots.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the NHAI has issued a Letter of Acceptance for the project. The installation of solar highway lighting systems is expected to not only improve night-time visibility but also enhance commuter safety and facilitate smoother traffic flow. This move is part of a broader effort by the NHAI to strengthen the overall reliability of highway infrastructure across the country.
The use of solar-powered lighting offers an energy-efficient and sustainable solution for improving safety along this busy national highway corridor. R.K. Singh, Chief General Manager (Technical) and Regional Officer, NHAI, stated in a communication that the project is a key component of the authority’s ongoing efforts to bolster road safety and deliver high-quality national highway infrastructure nationwide. He emphasized that lighting vulnerable locations would directly contribute to minimizing accidents that occur during the dark hours.
This project is part of a larger tendering process initiated by NHAI for solar lighting installations at various accident-prone sites. Earlier tenders in January 2025 and subsequent ones indicated plans for solarizing a significant number of locations across Andhra Pradesh’s highways. For instance, a tender in January 2025 mentioned covering 104 locations with an estimated cost of INR 13.19 crore, covering sections of NH-16 and NH-216A.
More recent reports from June 2026 detail a tender with a value of ₹11.71 crore for providing solar lighting at 63 locations on the Annavaram-Diwancheruvu section of NH-16 and NH-216A, aimed at rectifying accident spots. This highlights a sustained focus on improving road safety through such infrastructure enhancements.
Lord’s Mark Industries Limited has also been involved in similar initiatives, securing mandates for implementing solar highway lighting at numerous accident-prone locations. Their projects, often described as technologically advanced and data-driven, focus on integrating accident analytics and visibility diagnostics to create targeted safety improvements. These efforts underscore a consistent push towards modernizing highway infrastructure and employing sustainable energy solutions to address critical safety concerns.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) has been actively identifying and addressing blackspots on National Highways. Statistics indicate that out of a total of 13,795 identified blackspots, a significant number have had short-term and permanent rectification measures completed, with ongoing work on the remaining ones. Measures include engineering solutions, improved signage, and the implementation of lighting systems, such as the solar lights now being installed on NH-16.
The implementation of solar lighting at these 37 locations is expected to significantly contribute to reducing road fatalities and serious injuries, particularly those occurring due to poor visibility at night. The use of solar energy aligns with national goals for sustainable development and energy efficiency, making the project a dual-benefit initiative for both road safety and environmental consciousness.
The Chenab Times News Desk