'Apna Ghar' resting facilities for truckers along national highways find more takers

NEW DELHI: Resting facilities along national highways for truck drivers called Apna Ghars - equipped with all amenities - at just Rs 112 for eight hours are finding more takers. Data shows that there has been a more than five-fold increase in booking by drivers in June compared to the April-May period.

While there were 3,348 bookings in April-May or 55 per day during the two months, this surged to 16,559 bookings or 552 per day in June. Govt expects that as the number offacilities increase, there will be a further rise in the number of bookings. The scheme was launched to address the hardship faced by drivers who often slept in trucks or at dhahas due to lack of good and affordable places along highways.

Officials said over 65,000 drivers have downloaded the Apna Ghar mobile app and registered on it. To attract more users, a scheme offering free dormitory stays was introduced in June 2025 with the condition that drivers have to buy 50 litres of high-speed diesel from Apna Ghar sites. The promotional scheme will run for three months, they said.

As of June, 368 Apna Ghar have been set up by oil marketing companies (OMCs) including four on the under-construction Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The entire expressway have 30 such facilities.

Petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri on X said, "Most of the accidents on highways are caused by drivers not taking rest and not getting enough sleep. Air-conditioned Apna Ghars on highways has emerged as a big solution to this problem. Here, there is complete arrangement for food, cooking space, cold/hot water, bathroom, parking and bed etc. for drivers."

Drivers can book the facilities through the mobile app or directly by reaching the resting places. The govt also aims at creating trucker's wayside amenities at 1,000 large format fuel outlets on NHs by March 2027. The non-fuel facilities for truckers at fuel stations include providing dormitories (10 to 30 beds), an eatery, self-cooking areas, toilets, dedicated bathing areas, drinking water and safe parking space.