Nitin Gadkari Calls for Safer, Greener Highways

• Gadkari inaugurates Chintan Shivir 2026 in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
• Two-day conclave focuses on highway development and project delivery.
• Road safety, green highways and toll reforms feature prominently.
• Centre and states to exchange infrastructure practices and solutions.

GG News Bureau
Ekta Nagar, 5th Oct: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated Chintan Shivir 2026 – A National Conclave on Highway Infrastructure at Tent City 2, Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Narmada district, setting the agenda for strengthening India’s highway infrastructure.

The two-day national conclave, being held under the theme “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.

Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra also addressed the inaugural session.

Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said the Chintan Shivir provides an important platform for the Centre and states to deliberate together, exchange field-level experiences and develop practical solutions to emerging challenges in highway development. He stressed that successful practices adopted by different states should be shared, evaluated and replicated where appropriate.

The Union Minister emphasised that highway development must focus on quality, safety, speed and world-class standards. He called for greater preparedness at the Detailed Project Report stage, including proper surveys, alignment planning, land acquisition, utility shifting and timely statutory clearances.

According to Gadkari, better preparation at the initial stage can help minimise delays, prevent cost escalation and improve the overall efficiency of highway projects.

Road safety and integrated planning
Gadkari stressed that road safety should be incorporated into highway planning and design from the beginning. He called for identification of accident-prone locations and integration of appropriate safety measures during the planning and construction stages.

He also underlined the role of modern highways in connecting cities, towns, ports, markets and industrial centres, saying improved connectivity supports trade, investment, employment and wider economic activity.

The Chintan Shivir will include sessions on PM GatiShakti and integrated infrastructure planning, Land Acquisition and Bhoomi Rashi, Model Concession Agreements and Ratings, Designing Safe Highways and Green Highways, Road Safety and Toll Reform, and Quality Assurance and Project Monitoring.

Focus on technology and sustainability
The Minister encouraged wider adoption of new technologies, innovative construction methods and cost-effective materials to improve quality and reduce construction and maintenance costs.

Sustainability and environmental responsibility also form a key part of the conclave’s agenda. Gadkari called for greater use of environment-friendly and recycled materials while ensuring adequate protection of the environment and wildlife.

A document on Environment & Wildlife Mitigation Measures was launched during the inaugural session. A BRICS Compendium on Perspectives in Sustainable Transport was also released, bringing an international dimension to discussions on sustainable transport infrastructure.

The Minister also highlighted technology-driven initiatives such as the FASTag Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), aimed at modernising tolling systems, improving traffic movement and enhancing the highway-user experience.

The deliberations are aimed at strengthening project planning and monitoring, improving highway quality and safety, promoting sustainable infrastructure and accelerating the delivery of future-ready highway infrastructure.