News for 'Highways and Transport'

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

How Monsoon 2025 Turned Into A Nightmare

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

IMD data shows in the 24 hours between September 1 and 2, Haryana received 806 per cent more rainfall than normal, Punjab 759 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 510 per cent, Delhi 740 per cent, Chandigarh a staggering 1,638 per cent, and Rajasthan 193 per cent.

You can now drive from Mumbai to Nagpur in 8 hours

You can now drive from Mumbai to Nagpur in 8 hours

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday inaugurated the final 76-km-long stretch of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, making the entire 701-km Mumbai-Nagpur corridor fully functional and bringing down the travel time between the two cities to eight hours from around 18 hours.

Hope my demotion won't last long: Omar's banter with Modi

Hope my demotion won't last long: Omar's banter with Modi

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Mixing humour with political resolve, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday used the flagging-off ceremony of the first train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Katra to subtly but clearly articulate his government's demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

More than 25 crore workers engaged in sectors ranging from banking, insurance, postal to coal mining, highway and construction are expected to go on a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, potentially disrupting services across the country. A forum of 10 central trade unions and their associates has called for a general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' to "oppose the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the government".

Are you really working for welfare of common man, SC asks Centre

Are you really working for welfare of common man, SC asks Centre

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded the central government for failing to implement a cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims. The court expressed its concern over the delay in formulating the scheme, which is designed to provide immediate medical care to accident victims within the crucial "golden hour." The court highlighted that despite a statutory provision requiring the scheme's implementation, the government has not taken any action, prompting the court to intervene. The court also criticized the General Insurance Council (GIC) for raising objections to the scheme and delaying its implementation. The court has now directed the government to notify the scheme within a week and has scheduled a hearing on the matter for May 13.

Auto industry turns on heat over ICE ban, wants ban deferred

Auto industry turns on heat over ICE ban, wants ban deferred

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

Siam argues that a 2040 ban could destabilise ongoing and future investments and threaten millions of jobs in the automotive value chain.

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.

Nationwide strike over labour reforms, MSP may hit key sectors

Nationwide strike over labour reforms, MSP may hit key sectors

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

Over 25 crore workers across India are set to strike against new labour codes and privatisation, potentially disrupting banking, postal, and other essential services.

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.

Ruler must tolerate dissent in a democracy: Gadkari

Ruler must tolerate dissent in a democracy: Gadkari

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said the biggest test of democracy is that the ruler tolerates even the strongest opinion against him, and it leads to introspection.

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

From highways connecting once-remote regions to aviation networks carrying millions, India's infrastructure story is one of transformation.

Indian-origin man, daughter killed in US store shooting

Indian-origin man, daughter killed in US store shooting

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

A 56-year-old Indian-origin man and his 24-year-old daughter were shot and killed at a convenience store in Virginia. Police have arrested a 44-year-old man, George Frazier Devon Wharton, in connection with the shooting. Wharton is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The victims were identified as Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter, who were working at the store when the shooting occurred. The owner of the store, Paresh Patel, said the victims were his family members. The shooting sent shockwaves among the Indian community in the United States.

What Nitin Gadkari told India Inc

What Nitin Gadkari told India Inc

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday asked the industry not to perennially demand a reduction in taxes as the government needs funds to implement welfare schemes for the poor. Addressing an event, the road transport and highways minister said the logistics cost in India will come down to 9 per cent within two years.

'As Tunnels Increase We See More Incidents'

'As Tunnels Increase We See More Incidents'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'Balancing tunnel developments with ecological realities is a major challenge and, when overlooked, can contribute to mishaps.'

Why Gadkari 'tries to hide his face in meetings abroad'

Why Gadkari 'tries to hide his face in meetings abroad'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

"When I go to attend international conferences where there is a discussion on road accidents, I try to hide my face," Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday, underlining he had set a target to reduce accidents by 50 per cent when he first took charge as the Road Transport and Highways Minister.

SC says Bihar babus suspended for bridge collapse brought back

SC says Bihar babus suspended for bridge collapse brought back

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has transferred a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the safety and longevity of bridges in Bihar to the Patna High Court. The court expressed concern over the state government's handling of bridge collapses, noting that officials were suspended after incidents but reinstated after the public outcry subsided. The court also criticized the state's voluminous response to the PIL, which lacked explanations for the collapses. The Patna High Court will now monitor the state's efforts to ensure structural and safety audits of bridges in Bihar.

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

IAF plane with Rajnath, Gadkari lands on highway

IAF plane with Rajnath, Gadkari lands on highway

Rediff.com9 Sep 2021

NH-925 is India's first national highway to be used for emergency landing of IAF aircraft.

Nearly 90% of orders in Feb sales fully paid: Ola Electric

Nearly 90% of orders in Feb sales fully paid: Ola Electric

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Ola Electric on Tuesday clarified that its February sales figures reflect genuine customer orders after full payments, and not just preliminary bookings with a token amount, stating that "nearly 90 per cent" of these orders were paid in full at the time of placement. "To be clear, the sales figures for February 2025 represent genuine customer demand backed by financial commitment, not token-amount bookings.

Public transport may resume soon with guidelines: Gadkari

Public transport may resume soon with guidelines: Gadkari

Rediff.com6 May 2020

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said opening of transport and highways will go a long way in instilling confidence among the public and cautioned towards maintaining social distance and adopting all safety measures like hand wash, sanitizing, face masks, etc while operating buses and cars.

China planning new highway along India border: Report

China planning new highway along India border: Report

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

China plans to build a new highway along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India as part of Beijing's efforts to strengthen its strategic position and project its power, a media report said on Wednesday.

Covid waves slow down FY22 highway construction

Covid waves slow down FY22 highway construction

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

If 2019-20 (FY20) was an unusual year for highway construction in India, with the pace of work slowing down for the first time since the Narendra Modi government assumed power in 2014, largely due to the general elections in May and liquidity crunch, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21 (FY21) only made matters worse with lockdowns and labour unavailability. The pace of highway construction in 2021-22 (FY22) has not been able to bulldoze the pandemic barriers in a year marred by two Covid-19 waves - the second at the start of the fiscal year, the third towards the close. With localised lockdowns and restrictions on mobility, highway construction growth in the country has now fallen to a five-year low.

Tharoor hails Rana extradition, says 26/11 plotters must face justice

Tharoor hails Rana extradition, says 26/11 plotters must face justice

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 case, and said everyone associated with the conspiracy of the Mumbai terror attacks must face the court of justice. He described Rana's extradition as a "step forward for justice." Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of David Coleman Headley, is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed. Tharoor expressed hope that the interrogation of Rana would provide more details about the Mumbai attacks and said he was "very glad" that Indian authorities managed to get Rana's custody.

Kumbh devotees walk 15 km for bus; thousands stranded at rly station

Kumbh devotees walk 15 km for bus; thousands stranded at rly station

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Devotees attending the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj are facing transportation challenges, with many forced to walk long distances in search of transport. Thousands of pilgrims returning from the event are stranded at Varanasi Cantt and Banaras railway stations, with some missing their trains due to the rush and others stuck because of cancellations. Officials say the traffic situation in the district has returned to normal, but some pilgrims report difficulties in finding transport and reaching their destinations.

BEST bus crash: 'It was her first day at work'

BEST bus crash: 'It was her first day at work'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

Afreen Shah, a 20-year-old woman, was one of seven people killed in a bus accident in Mumbai's Kurla on Monday night. The bus rammed into pedestrians and vehicles on the SG Barve Road, leaving 42 others injured. The accident occurred as Afreen was waiting for an autorickshaw after her first day at a new job. Her father, Abdul Salim Shah, spoke to her last at 9:09 pm, advising her to walk towards the highway to find an autorickshaw. He received a call from Bhabha Hospital at 9:54 pm, informing him of his daughter's death. Shah has called for government action to prevent similar accidents, citing congestion due to illegal parking, hawking, and metro rail work. The bus driver has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Why these two ministries are unhappy with Ola Electric

Why these two ministries are unhappy with Ola Electric

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Ola Electric Mobility Ltd on Friday said ministries of heavy industries, and road transport and highways have sought information from the company over gap in vehicle registrations as per the Vahan portal and sales as per the firm's regulatory filing. Besides, the ministries have also sought clarification on reports "regarding non-compliance to the requirement of trade certificates", Ola Electric Mobility said in a regulatory filing.

Clashes mars day 1 of 'free movement' in Manipur, 1 killed

Clashes mars day 1 of 'free movement' in Manipur, 1 killed

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces in the Kuki-dominated district after police fired tear gas to disperse them, as they opposed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's directive allowing free movement across the state.

Is there a path for automobiles beyond diesel engines?

Is there a path for automobiles beyond diesel engines?

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

'The path beyond diesel is not going to be clear. It is really going to be dependent on applications.'

Gadkari favours 51% stake to foreign cos in tunnel construction JV

Gadkari favours 51% stake to foreign cos in tunnel construction JV

Rediff.com3 Sep 2024

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday favoured giving a majority 51 per cent stake to foreign partners in joint ventures for building tunnels and detailed project reports to improve work quality. Gadkari said providing a majority stake to a foreign partner in the joint venture is necessary to ensure that only serious and technically qualified players bid for tunnel projects.

8,500 km of highway projects to be awarded in FY22, says Sitharaman

8,500 km of highway projects to be awarded in FY22, says Sitharaman

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

While presenting the Union Budget 2021-22 in Parliament, the finance minister said poll-bound West Bengal will see highway projects worth Rs 25,000 crore. She also announced that highway projects worth Rs 65,000 crore will be undertaken in Kerala. She also announced an Rs 18,000-crore scheme to augment public transport in urban areas.

BEST bus was at 46 kmph when it ploughed into crowd in Mumbai

BEST bus was at 46 kmph when it ploughed into crowd in Mumbai

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

A BEST electric bus, traveling at a speed of 46 kmph, collided with a crowd in Kurla, Mumbai, killing seven people and injuring 42 others. The driver, Sanjay More, has been arrested for reckless driving. The accident has raised concerns about speed limits and training for drivers of automatic transmission buses.

PHOTOS: Srinagar highway ban causes disruption

PHOTOS: Srinagar highway ban causes disruption

Rediff.com7 Apr 2019

The decision comes in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, besides another attempt to target a Central Reserve Police Force convoy with a car bomb on the highway near Banihal in Ramban district on March 30.

Srinagar-Jammu highway ban partially relaxed

Srinagar-Jammu highway ban partially relaxed

Rediff.com20 Apr 2019

The restrictions barred civilian traffic from plying on the highway on Wednesdays and Sundays from 4 am to 5 pm till May 31.

Highways within 100 km of borders won't need green nod: Govt

Highways within 100 km of borders won't need green nod: Govt

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

The notification issued by the Union Environment Ministry also exempts projects pertaining to the expansion of terminal buildings at airports (without an increase in the existing area of the airport) from seeking green nod.

Highway widening delayed

Highway widening delayed

Rediff.com1 Aug 2005

Cheetah helicopter on COVID-19 duty makes emergency landing on highway

Cheetah helicopter on COVID-19 duty makes emergency landing on highway

Rediff.com16 Apr 2020

The helicopter was on its way to Chandigarh from Hindon on a COVID-19 mission to bring test samples from Leh. It developed a technical snag and carried out a safe landing on the Outer Ring Road highway near Hindon.

The truth about India's highways

The truth about India's highways

Rediff.com16 Jan 2017

When Nitin Gadkari took charge as Road Transport and Highways Minister in 2014, he had set a target of constructing 40 km a day in two years. But construction at this point is a mere 16 km a day. Megha Manchanda on what ails the road sector.

Electric vehicle sales down 12% in November after festival-driven rush

Electric vehicle sales down 12% in November after festival-driven rush

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

In the e2W category, which accounts for more than 60 per cent of total EV sales, volumes fell 15 per cent to 118,944 units in November, compared to 139,787 units in the previous month

Crores attend Maha Kumbh, but no call drops or slow internet

Crores attend Maha Kumbh, but no call drops or slow internet

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Telecom service providers and the Maha Kumbh Mela administration are on their toes to ensure smooth connectivity at the grand event set to witness record teledensity.

EV sales in India up 27% in 2024 miss 2 million mark by a whisker

EV sales in India up 27% in 2024 miss 2 million mark by a whisker

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

India's electric vehicle (EV) industry hit a new milestone in 2024, with sales surging 26.5 per cent year-on-year to 1.94 million units as of December 29, according to Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).