Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated a two-day national conclave on highway infrastructure at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated “Chintan Shivir 2026 – A National Conclave on Highway Infrastructure” at Tent City 2, Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Narmada District, Gujarat, setting the direction for two days of deliberations on strengthening India’s highway infrastructure. Held under the motto “Gatishakti se Pragati,” the conclave 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 Shri Harsh Malhotra also addressed the inaugural session.
Addressing the session, Shri Gadkari said the Chintan Shivir provides a platform for the Centre and states to think together, share field-level experiences and work towards practical solutions for challenges in highway development. He said successful practices adopted by different states should be shared, evaluated and replicated to improve project implementation and infrastructure outcomes nationally. He stressed that highway development must remain focused on quality, safety, speed and world-class standards, calling for greater emphasis on advance planning at the Detailed Project Report stage, including proper surveys, alignment planning, land acquisition, utility shifting and timely statutory clearances, to minimise delays and avoid cost escalation.
Shri Gadkari said road safety must be integrated into highway planning and project design from the outset, with identification of accident-prone locations and appropriate safety interventions incorporated during planning and construction to help reduce road accidents. He said modern highways should provide seamless connectivity between cities, towns, ports, markets and industrial centres, supporting trade, investment, employment and economic activity, and called for coordinated efforts by the Centre, states and implementing agencies to ensure timely infrastructure delivery.
The two-day conclave will feature thematic 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. The sessions are aimed at addressing implementation challenges, sharing best practices and identifying practical, replicable solutions for highway development.
The Minister called for wider adoption of new technologies, innovative construction practices and cost-effective materials to improve quality and reduce construction and maintenance costs, encouraging states and implementing agencies to share innovations and field-level solutions. He also emphasised the need for environment-friendly construction practices and greater use of innovative and recycled materials, alongside measures for environmental and wildlife protection. A document on Environment & Wildlife Mitigation Measures was launched during the inaugural session, along with a BRICS Compendium on Perspectives in Sustainable Transport.
Shri Gadkari also highlighted technology-driven reforms aimed at improving highway travel efficiency and convenience, including the FASTag Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, reflecting the Ministry’s continued focus on modernising tolling systems and enhancing the highway user experience.
The inaugural session set the broader direction for the conclave, with discussions over the two days expected to strengthen project planning and monitoring, improve highway quality and safety, promote sustainable infrastructure and accelerate delivery of future-ready highway infrastructure. Shri Gadkari called on all stakeholders to work collectively towards safer, high-quality and future-ready highway infrastructure, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Source: Press Information Bureau
