News for 'Ministry of Road Transport and Highways'

Road construction companies go hi-tech; plan to use robotic flagmen

Road construction companies go hi-tech; plan to use robotic flagmen

Rediff.com24 Jan 2018

The use of such robots can not only save lives but can also help road construction companies cut down on labour costs.

Car insurance may come with accident cover

Car insurance may come with accident cover

Rediff.com5 Jan 2010

Road ministry mulls a fee of Rs 15 for such a cover.

IIT-Delhi prof-led panel to probe Ramban tunnel collapse

IIT-Delhi prof-led panel to probe Ramban tunnel collapse

Rediff.com22 May 2022

NHAI has already initiated process to handle such emergency situation and also taking all possible measures to avoid such incidents in future, an official statement said on Sunday.

27 Indian pilgrims killed as bus plunges into river in Nepal

27 Indian pilgrims killed as bus plunges into river in Nepal

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

At least 27 Indian pilgrims, all from Maharashtra, who arrived in Nepal for a 10-day tour were killed and 16 others injured after their bus veered off the highway and fell into a fast-flowing river in central Nepal on Friday.

'Good Samaritans helping accident victims not to be harassed'

'Good Samaritans helping accident victims not to be harassed'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2015

Good Samaritans saving lives of road accident victims need not fear harassment by police or hospital authorities, while lack of response by a doctor in such cases would be construed as professional misconduct.

Govt aims at 17,661 km of new expressways by 2022

Govt aims at 17,661 km of new expressways by 2022

Rediff.com10 Sep 2009

The Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry proposes to build a huge network of expressways by 2022, also the final year of the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan.The ministry plans to build expressways in 3 phases -- by 2012, 2017 and 2022 -- and, accordingly, it has prepared a draft report for a network of the proposed 17,661-km of stretches.The report has suggested the government set up the proposed expressways on both an annuity and a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'Peninsular Indians could ask 'Why should we contribute half of India's tax revenues if we account for only a quarter of the seats in the Lok Sabha?'.' 'The rest of the country seems likely to counter that 'democracy means one vote per person irrespective of where that person resides in India'.' 'With no easy answers to this thorny debate, the south's economic ascendancy could end up creating a Hobson's choice.' A revealing excerpt from Nandita Rajhansa and Saurabh Mukherjea's book, Behold the Leviathan: The Unusual Rise of Modern India.

'Grand challenge' to boost states' participation in Bharatmala

'Grand challenge' to boost states' participation in Bharatmala

Rediff.com26 Oct 2017

Once the scheme is implemented 70-80 per cent of the freight would move along national highways as against the current 40 per cent, says Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Feeling deprived, netas ask for red beacon

Feeling deprived, netas ask for red beacon

Rediff.com5 Feb 2008

The use of beacon light, which is seen as a status symbol, is till now restricted to a select category of people from politics, judiciary, executive and legislature.

Asset monetisation worth Rs 96,000 crore completed

Asset monetisation worth Rs 96,000 crore completed

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

The Centre has completed asset monetisation worth Rs 96,000 crore during FY22, surpassing the target of Rs 88,000 crore. For FY23, it has set itself a goal of Rs 1.62 trillion, and already has a pipeline of assets worth Rs 1.6 trillion under advanced stages of implementation, an official said. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday reviewed the progress made by several ministries and nudged departments to achieve the targets set for them, the official added.

Soon, smart tolling to iron out traffic wrinkles

Soon, smart tolling to iron out traffic wrinkles

Rediff.com30 Dec 2015

The intention is to have a model with a single-clearing house.

Safety Isn't A High Priority In India

Safety Isn't A High Priority In India

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

Despite the hope that lessons will be learnt, the next accident invariably shows that nothing has been learnt -- or if learnt, they have been ignored, observes Prosenjit Datta.

12th Plan to see Rs 1 lakh-cr rise in private investment

12th Plan to see Rs 1 lakh-cr rise in private investment

Rediff.com25 Jan 2012

In what could mean a big investment opportunity for the construction industry in the years to come, the road transport ministry plans to more than double private participation in highway construction during the 12th Five Year Plan starting April 2012.

Delays in infrastructure projects cost Rs 52,446 crore

Delays in infrastructure projects cost Rs 52,446 crore

Rediff.com20 Aug 2012

Delays in execution of mega infrastructure projects has seen a massive Rs 52,446 crore jump in their original cost estimates.

Minimum 6 airbags to be made mandatory in select vehicles

Minimum 6 airbags to be made mandatory in select vehicles

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

The Centre will make it mandatory for carmakers to provide a minimum of six airbags in motor vehicles that can carry up to 8 passengers for enhanced safety of occupants, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday. In a series of tweets, the Road Transport and Highways Minister said his ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag with effect from July 1, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag with effect from January 1, 2022. "In order to enhance the safety of the occupants in motor vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers, I have now approved a Draft GSR Notification to make a minimum of 6 Airbags compulsory," Gadkari said.

Nashik: 20 electric scooters of Jitendra EV loaded in container catch fire

Nashik: 20 electric scooters of Jitendra EV loaded in container catch fire

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

In light of the recent incidents involving scooters from prominent electric mobility brands bursting into flames, the subject of electric vehicle (EV) safety has come under the spotlight. As many as 20 electric scooters of Nashik-based Jitendra EV Tech caught fire after being loaded on a transport container. While no one has been reported injured, the company said it is conducting an investigation to find the 'root cause' of the fire.

Govt finalises new toll policy

Govt finalises new toll policy

Rediff.com23 Jul 2007

Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways TR Baalu has said the new toll policy has been finalised by the government, while the toll rules are under formulation.

New ministers prepare to chart course

New ministers prepare to chart course

Rediff.com27 May 2003

B C Khanduri, who was elevated to Cabinet rank in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who was given independent charge of the civil aviation ministry, were among those who joined work on Monday.

Gadkari urges automakers for more safety features to curb accidents

Gadkari urges automakers for more safety features to curb accidents

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

India can become the number one automotive manufacturing hub in the world within five years, but auto companies need to enhance safety features to reduce deaths due to road accidents, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. In his inaugural address at the Auto Expo 2023 here, the minister for road transport and highways asserted that the government's target is to reduce these accidents by 50 per cent before the end of 2024 while asking the auto industry to take suo moto action for road safety as the government doesn't want to make anything mandatory. Gadkari's sentiments were also echoed by Minister of Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey, who lamented that while India has only 1 per cent of the total overall vehicles, the country accounts for 11 per cent of the total global deaths due to road accidents.

MPs now have an electric bus to take them to Parliament

MPs now have an electric bus to take them to Parliament

Rediff.com21 Dec 2015

As part of efforts to curb pollution, the Centre is in the final stage of completing the Rs 10 crore pilot project under which 10 refurbished electric buses will be handed over to select State Transport Corporations by March 2016.

Now pay toll only for distance travelled

Now pay toll only for distance travelled

Rediff.com12 Apr 2018

Geo-fencing to map vehicle route; pilot run expected on Delhi-Mumbai highway

Better mobility for the physically challenged

Better mobility for the physically challenged

Rediff.com4 Aug 2008

The kits for converting regular two-wheelers to those for the physically challenged will be sold only by select manufacturers who will need prior approval from the government after testing for brakes and the ability to handle gradation. Only workshops approved for fitment of the kits can make the changes to the vehicle. The approval, according to this notification, will be based on competence, availability of necessary equipment, experience in the relevant field and manpower.

No plan to ban petrol-diesel vehicles: Gadkari

No plan to ban petrol-diesel vehicles: Gadkari

Rediff.com5 Sep 2019

"There were discussions and the ministry had received suggestions that petrol-diesel vehicles should be banned. I would like to clarify that the government does not intend to ban petrol and diesel vehicles. We are not going to do anything like that," Gadkari said, addressing a gathering at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) annual convention, 2019.

Govt nod for fuel mix of hydrogen with CNG

Govt nod for fuel mix of hydrogen with CNG

Rediff.com16 Jul 2008

The Standing Committee on Emission Regulation - under the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways - today approved addition of hydrogen to CNG (compressed natural gas) for use in vehicles. The proposal is to use CNG with 20 per cent hydrogen content.

What Tesla must do to get tax concessions in India

What Tesla must do to get tax concessions in India

Rediff.com11 Sep 2021

The heavy industries ministry has asked US-based electric car major Tesla to first start manufacturing its iconic electric vehicles in India before any tax concessions can be considered, government sources said. They said that the government is not giving such concessions to any auto firm and giving duty benefits to Tesla will not send a good signal to other companies that have invested billions of dollars in India. Tesla has demanded reduction in import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) in India.

Redevelop at least 1 railway station in each state: Modi

Redevelop at least 1 railway station in each state: Modi

Rediff.com18 Feb 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said re-developed railway stations would become iconic structures and centres of economic activity.

Govt aims to start building 'Bharat Mala' in two years

Govt aims to start building 'Bharat Mala' in two years

Rediff.com30 Apr 2015

The road network will stretch from Gujarat to Mizoram.

The Challenges Before Ola, Uber...

The Challenges Before Ola, Uber...

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

In many states, aggregators operate without a licence; in others, with the risk of the licence being revoked by any regional transport office on the slightest pretext.

Demystifying the new Motor Vehicles Act

Demystifying the new Motor Vehicles Act

Rediff.com28 Sep 2019

While some states have proposed to dilute the hefty penalty provisions in the Act, there are those like West Bengal which have refused to implement right away.

Large projects underway to boost border infra: Gadkari

Large projects underway to boost border infra: Gadkari

Rediff.com5 Jul 2020

Work is also progressing on 17 strategic highway-cum-airstrips, three of which have been completed, he said. Besides, work is on in full swing on the Rs 12,000 crore ambitious Chardham project for providing all-weather connectivity to Gangotri, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Badrinath.

Indo-Pak talks on bus service Tuesday

Indo-Pak talks on bus service Tuesday

Rediff.com7 Mar 2004

The Indian delegation will comprise officials from the ministries of external affairs, road transport and highways and the Rajasthan government.

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.

How Nitin Gadkari plans to make Indian roads safe and pollution-free

How Nitin Gadkari plans to make Indian roads safe and pollution-free

Rediff.com25 Aug 2016

The Centre has accorded top priority for cost-effective, pollution-free transportation modes, such as waterways, which reduce logistic costs and increase road safety. Union minister of roads, highways, ports and shipping Nitin Gadkari speaks to Sanjay Jog about the government's strategy.

Maharashtra deploys police as petrol pumps start to run dry

Maharashtra deploys police as petrol pumps start to run dry

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

About 2,000 petrol pumps, mostly in western and northern India, have run out of fuel stocks as the strike by some truckers' associations entered the second day on Tuesday.

Bureaucratic rejig point to govt's priorities

Bureaucratic rejig point to govt's priorities

Rediff.com3 Dec 2015

The reshuffle is aimed at speeding up the implementation of the government's ambitious programmes like the SmartCity project and focus on key sectors like Mines, Information Technology and Road Transport.

Deadline extended: Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes valid for key utilities till Nov 14

Deadline extended: Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes valid for key utilities till Nov 14

Rediff.com11 Nov 2016

These notes can be used at government hospitals, railway ticketing, public transport, airline ticketing at airports, milk booths, crematoria/burial grounds, petrol pumps, metro rail tickets, purchase of medicines on doctor prescription from the government and private pharmacies, LPG gas cylinders, railway catering, electricity and water bills and ASI monument entry tickets. Highway toll has been scrapped till November 14.

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.'

Don't like wearing a seat belt? You could die!

Don't like wearing a seat belt? You could die!

Rediff.com3 Aug 2017

'Strange as it may seem, the more advanced the safety features in a car, the more critical is the role of the humble seat belt.'