EKTA NAGAR, OCT 5 (PTI): Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday stressed the need to keep quality, safety, speed and world-class standards at the core of highway development.
Addressing the inaugural session of ‘Chintan Shivir 2026 – A National Conclave on Highway Infrastructure’ at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district, Gadkari also called for better planning at the initial stages of projects to avoid delays and cost escalation.
Greater emphasis should be given to advance planning and preparedness at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage, he asserted.
A PIB release said Gadkari called for proper surveys, alignment planning, land acquisition, utility shifting and timely statutory clearances before the execution of highway projects.
“Better preparedness at the initial stage would help minimise delays, avoid cost escalation and improve the efficiency of highway projects” said Gadkari.
Road safety must be made an integral part of highway planning and project design from the beginning, the Union minister added.
He said accident-prone locations should be identified and appropriate safety measures incorporated during the planning and construction stages to make highways safer and reduce road accidents.
The two-day Chintan Shivir, being held under the motto ‘Gatishakti se Pragati’, brings together transport and PWD ministers from states, senior officials of state PWDs, implementing agencies and other stakeholders to deliberate on highway development, project implementation and infrastructure delivery.
Gadkari said the conclave provides a platform for the Centre and states to share field-level experiences and work together on practical solutions to challenges in highway development.
“Successful practices adopted by different states should be shared, evaluated and replicated wherever appropriate to improve project implementation and infrastructure outcomes across the country,” he said.
“Modern roads should provide seamless connectivity between cities, towns, ports, markets and industrial centres. Better connectivity supports trade, investment, employment and economic activity,” the Union minister added.
The minister called for coordinated efforts by the Centre, states and implementing agencies to ensure timely delivery of infrastructure in line with the country’s growing development and mobility requirements.
The two-day conclave will have sessions on PM GatiShakti and integrated infrastructure planning, land acquisition and ‘Bhoomi Rashi’ (digital e-governance portal to streamline and automate land acquisition), Model Concession Agreements and ratings, designing safe and green highways, road safety and toll reforms, and quality assurance and project monitoring.
Gadkari also called for wider adoption of new technologies, innovative construction practices and cost-effective materials to improve quality and reduce construction and maintenance costs.
He encouraged states and implementing agencies to share innovations and field-level solutions and stressed the importance of research, technology and continuous improvement in highway construction and maintenance.
On sustainability, Gadkari called for environment-friendly construction practices and greater use of innovative and recycled materials, along with measures for environmental and wildlife protection.
A document on Environment and Wildlife Mitigation Measures was launched during the inaugural session. A BRICS Compendium on Perspectives in Sustainable Transport was also launched.
Gadkari highlighted technology-driven reforms, including FASTag Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), aimed at modernising tolling systems, improving traffic movement and enhancing the highway user experience.
He called upon all stakeholders to work collectively towards safer, high-quality and future-ready highway infrastructure in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra also addressed the inaugural session.
