News for '-transport-and-highways'

Rescued worker tells Modi how they survived

Rescued worker tells Modi how they survived

Rediff.com29 Nov 2023

The 41 workers, who were rescued from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel in a multi-agency rescue operation, kept their spirits up while trapped inside by taking morning walks and practising yoga, a rescued worker told Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tunnel nightmare over, all 41 trapped workers rescued at last!

Tunnel nightmare over, all 41 trapped workers rescued at last!

Rediff.com28 Nov 2023

Rescue workers pulled out all 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel in a multi-agency rescue operation that hovered between hope and despair for 16 days.

Modi opens Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Phase 1; Delhi-Jaipur travel time cut by 50%

Modi opens Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Phase 1; Delhi-Jaipur travel time cut by 50%

Rediff.com12 Feb 2023

The Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot stretch is set to reduce the travel time between the national capital and Jaipur considerably.

Tunnel drilling stops again, 41 workers remain trapped

Tunnel drilling stops again, 41 workers remain trapped

Rediff.com24 Nov 2023

Drilling at the collapsed Silkyara tunnel to rescue 41 men trapped inside for 12 days was halted again on Friday, officials said.

So near, yet so far: Tunnel rescue put on hold again

So near, yet so far: Tunnel rescue put on hold again

Rediff.com23 Nov 2023

Boring through the rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel was put on hold again on Thursday apparently after cracks appeared in the platform on which the drilling machine rests, in a fresh hurdle to the rescue of 41 workers trapped inside for 11 days.

PIX: Gadkari rides to Parliament in hydrogen-powered car

PIX: Gadkari rides to Parliament in hydrogen-powered car

Rediff.com30 Mar 2022

India will soon become a green hydrogen exporting country, the road transport and highways minister told reporters before leaving for Parliament in the car, which is the first of its kind in India.

'Indian manufacturers are making good-quality EVs'

'Indian manufacturers are making good-quality EVs'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2023

'I'm very much against petrol and diesel....'' 'I travel in an electric car.' 'I have had a really good experience with it.'

BJP MP sheds 15 kg to seek funds from Gadkari

BJP MP sheds 15 kg to seek funds from Gadkari

Rediff.com12 Jun 2022

Firojiya, a first-time MP said that in order to motivate him to get fit, Gadkari had said that funds for development works would be only allocated to him if he loses weight.

'Family first, nation nothing': Modi's scathing attack on Oppn meet

'Family first, nation nothing': Modi's scathing attack on Oppn meet

Rediff.com18 Jul 2023

"They (opposition parties) are not concerned about the development of the children of the country's poor. Their common minimum programme is to increase corruption for their family. Democracy means 'of the people, by the people, for the people'. But these dynastic parties have the mantra of 'of the family, by the family, for the family'. For them, their family is first, and the nation is nothing," he said.

Fresh rescue plan ready on Day 7: Vertical hole, new road to reach workers

Fresh rescue plan ready on Day 7: Vertical hole, new road to reach workers

Rediff.com18 Nov 2023

A high performance drilling machine was brought in Uttarkashi from Indore on Saturday to pierce through the rubble of the collapsed tunnel on the Char Dham route and was being assembled before it is deployed to resume drilling, officials at the site said.

19 deaths every hour in India due to road accident in 2022

19 deaths every hour in India due to road accident in 2022

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The report showed that 53 road accidents take place every hour in the country.

Green mobility: Hybrid vehicles in the fast lane in India

Green mobility: Hybrid vehicles in the fast lane in India

Rediff.com25 Oct 2023

At a time when consumers increasingly embrace green mobility solutions, it is not electric cars but hybrids that are taking the lead, as automotive sales data indicate. Since January, 64,097 electric cars have been sold compared to 266,465 hybrids, according to data from the ministry of road transport and highways' Vahan dashboard. Hybrid car sales have surged from 4.42 per cent of the 4.1 million cars sold in calendar year 2022 to 7.2 per cent this year.

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday unveiled the prototype of the world's first Bharat Stage (BS)-VI-compliant electrified flex-fuel car, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The car, which runs on 100 per cent ethanol (E100), is based on the Toyota Innova HyCross. It can cover 40 per cent of its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 per cent on electric, with the petrol engine shut off.

PSUs in fast lane on capex push, top 10 shares nearly double

PSUs in fast lane on capex push, top 10 shares nearly double

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

Public-sector enterprise stocks have seen a good run thus far in 2023-24 (FY24), with the S&P BSE PSU Index surging by over 26 per cent during the period, compared to an 11 per cent increase in the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex.

Hybrid vehicles take lead in realm of eco-friendly mobility solutions

Hybrid vehicles take lead in realm of eco-friendly mobility solutions

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

At a time when consumers increasingly embrace green mobility solutions, it is not electric cars but hybrids that are taking the lead, as automotive sales data indicate. Since January, 64,097 electric cars have been sold compared to 266,465 hybrids, according to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Vahan dashboard. Hybrid car sales have surged from 4.42 per cent of the 4.1 million cars sold in calendar year 2022 to 7.2 per cent this year.

'Success was 100 per cent sure'

'Success was 100 per cent sure'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2023

'The rocks, the geology of the Himalayas will always spring surprises.' 'It's basically force majeure and the will of god.'

Govt makes helmet, safety harness must for kids below 4 yrs on bike

Govt makes helmet, safety harness must for kids below 4 yrs on bike

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

The road transport ministry on Wednesday notified new rules to make the use of safety harness and crash helmets mandatory for children below the age of four years on motorcycles.

India indebted to Manmohan Singh for liberalisation: Gadkari

India indebted to Manmohan Singh for liberalisation: Gadkari

Rediff.com9 Nov 2022

The economic reforms started by Singh as the finance minister in 1991 gave a new direction to India as it ushered in a liberal economy, Gadkari said.

India Welcomes Sheikh Hasina In Style

India Welcomes Sheikh Hasina In Style

Rediff.com6 Sep 2022

India laid out the red carpet and accorded a ceremonial reception for one of this country's most valued allies, Sheikh Hasina

A Busy Weekend For President Murmu

A Busy Weekend For President Murmu

Rediff.com13 Mar 2023

What some of our leaders were up to on the weekend.

Musk welcome to make Tesla in India; can't import from China, says Gadkari

Musk welcome to make Tesla in India; can't import from China, says Gadkari

Rediff.com26 Apr 2022

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said if the US-based Tesla is ready to manufacture its electric vehicles in India then there is 'no problem' but the company must not import cars from China. In an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue, Gadkari further said India is a large market and there is a huge potential for all electric vehicles. "If Elon Musk (Tesla CEO) is ready to manufacture in India then there is no problem ... Come to India, start manufacturing, India is a large market they can export from India," he said. The road transport and highways minister said his request to Musk is to come and manufacture in India.

Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP, India's first crash testing programme

Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP, India's first crash testing programme

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched the country's first crash testing programme Bharat NCAP aimed at improving road safety standards of motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is India's own crash testing programme and is cheaper than tests conducted abroad, Gadkari said, adding that the star ratings will help buyers understand the quality of the product and make an informed purchase decision. Bharat NCAP will be implemented from October 1, 2023.

'What the rat miners did was tremendous'

'What the rat miners did was tremendous'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2023

'These are people whom very few give importance and they were doing a mammoth job for the nation.'

How to use scrapped vehicles for steel production? Scindia pitches for guidelines

How to use scrapped vehicles for steel production? Scindia pitches for guidelines

Rediff.com15 Nov 2022

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday pitched for policy guidelines to utilise scrapped vehicles as raw material for steel production, saying there are close to about one crore such vehicles in the country. Scindia, who also holds steel portfolio, said the time is not far away when the country will have to move towards green steel, and therefore, the option of iron ore and coking coal will not be available. Green steel is manufactured without using fossil fuels.

Govt to raise funds for road projects from capital market

Govt to raise funds for road projects from capital market

Rediff.com15 Sep 2022

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the government will approach the capital market this month to raise funds for road projects. Addressing an event, he said toll revenue of the NHAI will soar to Rs 1.40 lakh crore per annum in next three years from Rs 40,000 crore per annum currently. "This month, I will be approaching the capital market to raise funds for road projects...Our toll income is very good and NHAI's rating is AAA...I am 100 per cent sure that we will get a good response from the capital market," the Road Transport and Highways minister said.

Hurdles in biofuel use: Few vehicles, weak ethanol-blended petrol rollout

Hurdles in biofuel use: Few vehicles, weak ethanol-blended petrol rollout

Rediff.com25 Sep 2023

The limited availability of flexible (flex)-fuel vehicles in the Indian market and the slow rollout of ethanol-blended petrol by oil-marketing companies (OMCs) remain major obstacles to achieving widespread use of biofuels in the transportation sector in India. Recently, two Union ministers have emphasised India's biofuel potential, arguing that it has the capacity and potential to lead a transition towards widespread biofuel adoption. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari signalled that this transition is well underway and urged car manufacturers to quickly adapt and introduce new biofuel-run vehicles, lest the government resort to taxing diesel vehicles.

In Pics: Glimpses of Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels

In Pics: Glimpses of Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

While the 6.5-km the Z-Morh tunnel is expected to be completed by next year, ahead of the target date of December 2023, the 14.15 km Zojila tunnel is also scheduled to be completed ahead of the target date of 2026, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited officials said.

Row over Nitin Gadkari's letter to Maha CM Shinde for IAS officer's transfer

Row over Nitin Gadkari's letter to Maha CM Shinde for IAS officer's transfer

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

In a letter to CM Shinde and chief secretary Manukumar Srivastava on March 9, Gadkari also criticised Joshi, an IAS officer, for allegedly stalling admission to nearly 1,100 seats linked to courses offered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons-affiliated.

Infrastructure development capex hiked by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore for 2023-24

Infrastructure development capex hiked by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore for 2023-24

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced hiking the capital expenditure by 33 per cent to Rs 10 lakh crore for infrastructure development for 2023-24 and will be at 3.3 per cent of the GDP. Presenting the Budget for 2023-24, she said the newly established infrastructure finance secretariat will assist in attracting more private investment. "Capital investment outlay is being increased steeply for the third year in a row by 33 per cent to Rs 10 lakh crore, which would be 3.3 per cent of GDP.

'If Modi comes back in 2024, India will be...'

'If Modi comes back in 2024, India will be...'

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

'...a more capable State -- one that operates with greater capacity, greater efficiency, and greater clarity of purpose.' 'But I also see a more despotic State -- one that places more constraints on speech, assembly, dissent, and critique.' 'It may run 'better', but on the regime's rules.'

Modi inaugurates projects worth Rs 7,600cr in poll-bound Chhattisgarh

Modi inaugurates projects worth Rs 7,600cr in poll-bound Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com7 Jul 2023

Modi also virtually flagged off a new train between Antagarh in Kanker district and Raipur and kickstarted the distribution of cards of the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme to beneficiaries in the state.

'No emergency exit was built inside the tunnel'

'No emergency exit was built inside the tunnel'

Rediff.com22 Nov 2023

'If you are constructing the tunnel in the Himalayan region, then if you have constructed 10 metres of tunnel, first you will have to do proper treatment and ensure the stability of this constructed structure.' 'You cannot just throw concrete on the ceiling and sidewall of the tunnel for permanent stability. That will not work.'

Gadkari keen to fast-track highway projects

Gadkari keen to fast-track highway projects

Rediff.com23 Jan 2020

Various stakeholders, including about 600 developers, bankers and officials from various wings, including the National Highways Authority of India, will also be present.

Cost of EVs to be at par with petrol-run vehicles in 2 years: Gadkari

Cost of EVs to be at par with petrol-run vehicles in 2 years: Gadkari

Rediff.com22 Mar 2022

Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said rapid strides in technology and green fuel will reduce the cost of electric automobiles, bringing them at par with petrol-run vehicles in the next two years. Replying in the Lok Sabha on the Demands for Grants for Road Transport and Highways Ministry, 2022-23, Gadkari emphasised the need to shift to cost-effective indigenous fuel and hoped that this fuel will be a reality soon, bringing the pollution levels down and improving the overall situation in Delhi.

Fadnavis in court admits to 'inadvertent mistake' in poll affidavit

Fadnavis in court admits to 'inadvertent mistake' in poll affidavit

Rediff.com9 May 2023

Fadnavis (52), in an explanatory statement submitted to civil judge VM Deshmukh on April 15, said there was no intention to deliberately conceal information about the two "insignificant" complaint cases.

National Highway Authority creates Guinness World Record

National Highway Authority creates Guinness World Record

Rediff.com8 Jun 2022

State-owned NHAI has created a Guinness World Record for the longest continuously laid bituminous lane of 75 kilometres in 105 hours and 33 minutes on the national highway between Amravati and Akola districts in Maharashtra. Mentioning about the record, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the project was implemented by 720 workers including a team of independent consultants who worked day and night. The total length of the 75 kilometres of single lane continuous bituminous concrete road is equivalent to 37.5 kilometres of two-lane paved shoulder road and the work started on June 3, at 7:27 am and was completed on June 7, at 5 pm, the minister said in a video message.

When Computer Baba Walked with Rahul

When Computer Baba Walked with Rahul

Rediff.com5 Dec 2022

What some of our leaders were up to on the weekend.

'We're going to bring these kids home'

'We're going to bring these kids home'

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

'I would put my hand in the ground and have a little listen to what the mountain was doing.' 'Actually, it was still collapsing.' 'And there was a very real possibility that at some stage, without warning, the collapse could continue -- and continue across us, the people who were doing the rescue and also across to the men on the other side, who were being rescued.'

By 2025 Indian Trucks Will Have AC Cabin

By 2025 Indian Trucks Will Have AC Cabin

Rediff.com3 Jul 2023

'Instead of ACs, the government should do something to increase our salary.'

When Stalin Met Thala...

When Stalin Met Thala...

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

What some of our leaders were up to over the weekend.