NHAI guidelines for Petrol Pump Dealership 2023

The establishment and operation of petrol pump dealerships along India’s extensive network of national highways are governed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). To ensure compliance with standards and prioritize safety, the NHAI has introduced comprehensive NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership in 2023.

These guidelines outline the necessary steps and requirements that oil and gas companies, as well as property owners, must follow when constructing and developing fuel stations. They also provide a clear process for obtaining access permissions and highlight specific norms related to location, layout, and access. By implementing these guidelines, the NHAI aims to create a framework that promotes a safe and efficient fuel retailing environment while considering the unique challenges posed by different terrains, such as rural stretches, urban areas, and hilly or mountainous regions.

In this blog, we will delve into the key aspects of the NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership in 2023. Our exploration will cover construction timelines, the process for obtaining final permissions, and the fees and penalties associated with unauthorized access or non-compliance. We will also examine the norms that govern the location, layout, and access of fuel stations, taking into account factors like acceleration and deceleration lanes, distances from intersections, and the clustering of fuel stations.

Understanding and adhering to these guidelines is paramount for oil marketing companies, property owners, and prospective petrol pump dealerships. By following the prescribed regulations, stakeholders can ensure the safety of their operations, contribute to the smooth flow of traffic on national highways, and provide essential services to motorists in a standardized and accessible manner.

Join us on this journey as we navigate the NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership in 2023, gaining insights into the requirements and recommendations that underpin this vital sector. Together, we will explore how these guidelines contribute to the overall development and sustainability of the fuel retail industry, while upholding the highest standards of compliance and safety.

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License Fee, Processing fee and Penalties:

The details of the License fee/processing fee/ penalty for unauthorized access or abuse of the permission granted for different types / categories of access permission shall be as under: NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership

Norms for Location, Layout, and Access of Fuel Stations along National Highways:

The NHAI guidelines for fuel station locations and layout are designed to ensure the smooth functioning and accessibility of various types of fuel stations, including petroleum retail outlets, CNG/gas retail outlets, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, bio-fuel pumps, and wayside amenities. Here are the key norms to consider:

1. Existing Service Road/Slip Road:
   • If a retail outlet is proposed on an existing service road or slip road, no specific norms will be applicable.
   • However, permission from the Highway Administration is required to regulate other aspects such as drainage facilities, plot size, drinking water, toilet facilities, signs, and markings.
   • It’s important to note that no access permission will be granted for establishing a retail outlet on the entry or exit ramp of a service or slip road.

These norms aim to ensure that fuel stations are strategically located for convenient access, while also considering the infrastructure and facilities required for their smooth operation. By adhering to these guidelines, fuel station owners can contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of the national highway network.

Location Norms on Rural Stretches of National Highways:

Location Norms for Urban / Mountains stretches of National Highways: 

General Conditions of Siting(NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership)

• Rest areas should have various amenities for users e.g. fuel stations, places for parking, toilets, restaurants, rest room, kiosks for selling sundry items, bathing facilities, repair facilities, crèche etc. These aspects should be incorporated while planning for improvement and up-gradation of highways and/or planning for new fuel stations along the highways. The rest area complex may be planned subject to their commercial viability.
• It should be ensured that the location of the proposed fuel station does not interfere with future improvements of the highway and the nearby intersections/junctions.
• The fuel stations would be located where the highway alignment and profile are favorable, i.e. where the grounds are practically level, there are no sharp curves not less than those specified for minimum design speed or steep grades (more than 5%) and where sight distances would be adequate for safe traffic operations. The location should not interfere with the placement and proper functioning of highways signs, signals, lighting or other devices that may affect traffic operation.
• If two or more fuel stations are to be sited in close proximity for some reasons these would be grouped together to have a common access through a service road of 7.0m width and connected to the highway through acceleration, deceleration lanes. Any objection from the existing fuel station owner against granting of access permission from NH for the proposed new fuel station are to be overruled and access to all fuel stations in case of clustering, shall invariably be from the service road only. Wherever longer service road exists, which may itself act as deceleration/ acceleration lane, no separate deceleration/ acceleration lane is required. New entrant would be responsible for construction and maintenance of the common service road, deceleration & acceleration lanes, drainage and traffic control device. Wherever available ROW is inadequate to accommodate such service roads, deceleration/ acceleration lanes etc., the additional land by the side of ROW to accommodate such service roads shall be acquired by the new entrant Oil Company.

Plot size according to NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership:

1. The minimum size and shape of the plot for fuel station should primarily be laid down by the Company/ Establishment concerned, for which they would need to consider suitable accommodation of all the facilities e.g. fuel pumps, offices, stories, compressor room, air pump and kiosks etc. The Highway Administration steps in primarily keeping in view that no hindrance is caused to the movement of vehicles of expected maximum dimensions, within the fuel station and in the access area. Sufficient space would need to be available to accommodate the number of fuel pumps to cater to the expected number of vehicles in peak time at this location so that the vehicles do not spill over to the access area. The air pump and kiosks for pollution control measurements be installed at some distance from the fuel pumps so that the vehicles requiring these services do not cause hindrance to the free movement of vehicles entering or exiting the fuel station.
2. Keeping the above considerations in view, the minimum size of the plot for a fuel station along National Highways shall be as follows:-
   

   Sr. No.		Frontage (In meter)	Depth (In meter)
   1.	On Rural Stretches in Plain and rolling terrain	35	35
   2.	On Urban stretches in plain and rolling terrain	30	30
   3.	In hilly and mountainous terrain	20	20
   Note:	The proposed plot of new fuel stations should be such that the minimum frontage is achieved within the minimum total area as stipulated above.

Access for New petrol pump along Divided/Undivided Carriageway Sections:

When it comes to accessing a fuel station along divided or undivided carriageway sections, the following guidelines should be considered:

1. Rural Stretch of National Highways:
   • Access to fuel stations in rural stretches of national highways should have dedicated acceleration and deceleration lanes.
   • In urban, hilly, and mountainous areas, the requirement for acceleration and deceleration lanes may be waived.
2. Deceleration Lane:
   • The deceleration lane starts from the edge of the paved shoulder and extends up to the edge of the Right of Way (ROW) of the National Highway.
   • Its minimum length should be 70 meters, measured along the travel direction of the highway.
   • The width of the deceleration lane should be a minimum of 5.5 meters.
   • A shoulder of 2.25 meters should be provided on the outer side of the access/egress (farthest from the carriageway) for the deceleration lane.
3. Acceleration Lane:
   • The acceleration lane begins from the edge of the fuel station on the exit side.
   • Its minimum length should be 100 meters, with a width of at least 5.5 meters.
   • The initial 70 meters of the acceleration lane should have a minimum curvature radius of 650 meters.
   • The remaining 30 meters should be tapered to facilitate safe and efficient merging of vehicles exiting the fuel station with fast-moving traffic on the main carriageway.
   • In cases where the available ROW is insufficient to accommodate the service roads, deceleration/acceleration lanes, additional marginal land adjacent to the ROW should be acquired by the fuel station owner.
   • If future widening to 4/6 lanes is anticipated, these cases will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
4. Separator Island:
   • A separator island should be provided in front of the fuel station.
   • The length of the separator island is determined based on the intersecting points of the edge line with the line drawn along the edge of the chevron marking.
   • The shape of the separator island depends on whether it is an isolated fuel station or part of a cluster with common service roads.
   • It should have a minimum width of 3 meters.
   • The width of the approaches connecting the deceleration and acceleration lanes, along the separator island, should be 5.5 meters.
5. Buffer Strip:
   • A buffer strip should be maintained from the edge of the ROW and extend at least 3 meters inside the fuel station plot.
   • Its minimum length should be 12 meters, although in urban, hilly, or mountainous areas, it may be reduced to 5 meters.
   • No structures or hoardings, except for approved standard identification signs on poles, are permitted within the buffer strip.
   • The buffer strip and separator island should have a minimum curb height of 275 mm to prevent vehicle crossing or parking.
   • The buffer strip in the approach zone should be suitably shaped or extended to cover extra areas after the provision of acceleration and deceleration lanes, and it should be properly turfed for aesthetic landscaping.
6. Turning Curves:
   • The radius for turning curves should be 13 meters to deter over speeding while entering or exiting the fuel station.
   • For non-turning curves, the radius should range from 1.5 to 3 meters.
   • Additional marginal land adjacent to the ROW should be acquired by the fuel station owner if the available ROW is inadequate to provide the prescribed turning radius.

These guidelines ensure that Petrol Pump Dealership along divided or undivided carriageway sections are accessible and equipped with proper infrastructure to facilitate safe and efficient entry and exit for vehicles. Adhering to these norms promotes smooth traffic flow and contributes to the overall safety and convenience of motorists using national highway.

List of Documents Required for Approval of New Fuel Station/ Wayside Amenity/ according to NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership:

To obtain approval for the installation of a new fuel station, wayside amenity, or establishment along national highways, the following documents need to be submitted:

• Signed copy of the license deed (Draft available at Annex III).
• Certified copy of the location plan of the fuel station along the National Highway, including details of the Right of Way (ROW) of the highway, existing intersections, intersecting roads, public roads, and other developments within a 1.1 km radius on each side of the fuel station and carriageway.
• Certified copy of the proposed fuel station plan, highlighting the layout of deceleration and acceleration lanes, service road (if applicable), buffer strip, fuel pumps, office, kiosk, lubritorium, air and water supply facilities, toilet and drinking water facilities, drainage details, signage, and markings. The plan should conform to the applicable figures provided with the guidelines.
• Certified copy of the sectional view showing the elevation of the fuel station concerning the National Highway, along with details of slopes necessary for proper drainage to prevent waterlogging on the highway.
• Drainage plan of the fuel station, outlining the measures to manage water drainage effectively.
• Detailed information on the materials to be used for the pavement composition of the deceleration lane, service road, and acceleration lane.
• Undertaking from the oil company, stating their commitment to pay any necessary fees for the use of National Highway land whenever demanded by the Highway Authorities in the future.
• Undertaking from the oil company, ensuring that they will carry out any required alterations, including complete removal or shifting of approach roads at their own expense if requested by the Ministry for the development of the National Highway or in the interest of safety in that section.
• Undertaking from the oil company, guaranteeing compliance with all the actions prescribed in Appendix I to ensure conformity with the norms specified in the guidelines.
• Undertaking from the oil company, declaring that the fuel station is neither in operation nor energized, and that construction has not commenced.
• Documentary evidence of additional land acquisition details (if applicable) beyond the available Right of Way, undertaken by the fuel station owner to accommodate service roads, deceleration/acceleration lanes, turning radius, etc. (Note: Specify if this is not applicable/required).

By submitting these necessary documents, applicants can demonstrate their adherence to the NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership and ensure a streamlined approval process for the establishment of a new fuel station, wayside amenity, or establishment along the national highways.

Related Video of NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership:

FAQ(Frequently Asked Question):

Q: What types of facilities are included in the term “Fuel Station” as per the NHAI guidelines ?

Ans: The term “Fuel Station” encompasses petroleum retail outlets, CNG/gas retail outlets, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, bio-fuel pumps, and wayside amenities. NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership.

Q: Are there any specific norms for fuel stations proposed on existing service roads/slip roads ?

Ans: No, specific norms are applicable if the retail outlet is proposed on existing service roads/slip roads. However, permission from the Highway Administration is required to regulate other requirements such as drainage facilities, plot size, drinking water, toilet facilities, signs, and markings.

Q: Can a retail outlet be established on the entry/exit ramp of a service/slip road ?

Ans: No, access permission will not be granted for the establishment of a retail outlet on the entry/exit ramp of a service/slip road.

Q: What are the access requirements for fuel stations along divided/un-divided carriageway sections in rural stretches ?

Ans: Access to fuel stations in rural stretches of national highways should include acceleration and deceleration lanes.

Q: What are the minimum dimensions for the deceleration lane ?

Ans: The deceleration lane should have a minimum length of 70 meters and a width of 5.5 meters. A shoulder of 2.25 meters should be provided on the outer side for the deceleration lane.

Q: What are the requirements for the acceleration lane ?

Ans: The acceleration lane should have a minimum length of 100 meters and a width of 5.5 meters. The initial 70 meters should have a minimum curvature radius of 650 meters, and the remaining 30 meters should be tapered for safe merging with through traffic.

Q: Is a separator island necessary as per NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership ?

Ans: Yes, a separator island should be provided in front of the fuel station. Its length and shape depend on whether the fuel station is isolated or part of a cluster with common service roads.

Q: What is the purpose of a buffer strip ?

Ans: The buffer strip is a designated area from the edge of the Right of Way (ROW). It helps prevent vehicle crossing and parking, and ensures proper aesthetic landscaping.

Q: What is the minimum turning radius required for fuel station access ?

Ans: The turning radius should be 13 meters for turning curves and 1.5 to 3 meters for non-turning curves to prevent over speeding while entering or exiting the fuel station.

Q: What documents are required for approval of a new fuel station along national highways ?

Ans: The required documents include a signed copy of the license deed, certified copies of location and fuel station plans, drainage plan, undertaking from the oil company, and documentary evidence of additional land acquisition (if applicable). NHAI guidelines for petrol pump dealership

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