In a bid to improve road safety and the quality of National Highway construction, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued directives to contractors for strict compliance with the installation guidelines for Metal Beam Crash Barriers (MBCB). These guidelines align with the standards set by the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for traffic safety barriers. The new directives require contractors to ensure that the materials used for MBCBs match the specifications provided in the crash test report and are installed following the manufacturer’s methodology. Contractors must also obtain a certificate from the manufacturer confirming that the installed barriers meet the prescribed design, standards, and specifications. Furthermore, contractors must ensure the appropriate level of ground layer compaction for proper installation. For MBCB manufacturers, the guidelines mandate clear identification of each product element, including the brand name, lot/batch number, steel grade, and other relevant details. Additionally, a QR code should be provided on each barrier, allowing easy access to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and installation methodology on-site. Before approving the MBCBs, the Authority Engineer or Independent Engineer must verify that all technical specifications comply with the design standards outlined in the crash test report. Through these measures, NHAI aims to enhance accountability among contractors and concessionaires, ensuring the delivery of high-quality projects. This initiative will also significantly contribute to improving safety for National Highway users across India. (PIB)