News for 'Road Transport and Highways'

'Ashamed' Gadkari won't attend Mumbai-Goa highway opening

'Ashamed' Gadkari won't attend Mumbai-Goa highway opening

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed his determination to blacklist contractors and suspend officials responsible for delays and shoddy execution of infrastructure projects. He plans to personally inspect the delayed Mumbai-Goa Highway in October and urged the Goa government to develop roadside amenities and promote green initiatives along the route. Gadkari also highlighted the importance of infrastructure for economic growth and sustainable development.

'Why can't NHAI track parked vehicles electronically on highways?' SC asks

'Why can't NHAI track parked vehicles electronically on highways?' SC asks

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

The Supreme Court has questioned the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the lack of electronic surveillance to track stationary vehicles on highways, citing a recent fatal accident. The court is hearing a suo motu case related to road safety and has previously issued directions against unauthorised parking and commercial structures on highways.

IIT Madras Leads Global South In AI Road Safety Solutions

IIT Madras Leads Global South In AI Road Safety Solutions

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

IIT Madras's Centre of Excellence for Road Safety has organised its first international hackathon, focusing on AI in road safety. The event brought together participants from India and other BIMSTEC nations to develop data-driven, technology-enabled solutions for the region, which faces a high number of road fatalities annually. The hackathon aims to foster collaboration among governments, academic institutions, and regional bodies to address this critical issue.

'We Travelled Peacefully By Road From Imphal To Guwahati'

'We Travelled Peacefully By Road From Imphal To Guwahati'

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

'People have been facing significant difficulties due to skyrocketing airfares, and road transportation was inaccessible until now.'

Shillong violence sparks Assam-Meghalaya road blockade

Shillong violence sparks Assam-Meghalaya road blockade

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Traffic between Assam and Meghalaya was disrupted after Guwahati-based cab operators blocked National Highway-27, protesting alleged attacks on people from Assam during a Khasi Students' Union (KSU) rally in Shillong, which saw 31 vehicles damaged and several pedestrians assaulted.

Ambulance to reach highway accident spot in 10 minutes, hospital in 1 hour

Ambulance to reach highway accident spot in 10 minutes, hospital in 1 hour

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced stringent new policy guidelines, mandating ambulances deployed on national highways to reach accident sites within a 10-km radius in 10 minutes and transfer victims to the nearest hospital within one hour, with penalties for non-compliance.

Prakash Rajpurohit: Election Commission gets a new deputy

Prakash Rajpurohit: Election Commission gets a new deputy

Rediff.com10 Oct 2026

The Centre has announced a major bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing Prakash Rajpurohit as Deputy Election Commissioner and approving appointments for 27 civil servants at joint secretary and equivalent levels across various ministries and departments.

Cattle on highway trigger deadly crash in MP; 8 UP labourers killed, 32 hurt

Cattle on highway trigger deadly crash in MP; 8 UP labourers killed, 32 hurt

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Eight labourers were killed and 32 others injured in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district when their pickup vehicle collided with a dumper truck. The accident occurred early Tuesday as the labourers were returning to Uttar Pradesh after paddy transplantation work. Preliminary investigations suggest the driver lost control while avoiding cattle. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial assistance for the victims' families.

Ensure every road has encroachment-free pedestrian space: SC to Centre

Ensure every road has encroachment-free pedestrian space: SC to Centre

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to ensure all roads have properly demarcated, encroachment-free spaces for pedestrians, emphasising that the right to walk on a footpath is a fundamental right.

Footpaths for walking: SC asks states, UTs for update

Footpaths for walking: SC asks states, UTs for update

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court has declared the right to walk on demarcated footpaths a fundamental right, directing all states and Union Territories to ensure proper, encroachment-free pedestrian spaces. The court emphasised that footpaths are integral to human life and safety, and states must respond to advisories issued by central ministries regarding their implementation.

Pune-Mumbai Expressway, old highway suspended after heavy rains

Pune-Mumbai Expressway, old highway suspended after heavy rains

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

A landslide near Tunnel 2 on the Khopoli-Kusgaon 'Missing Link' has caused significant traffic diversions on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

New BS-VII Rules Target Tyre, Brake Pollution

New BS-VII Rules Target Tyre, Brake Pollution

Rediff.com15 Oct 2026

The proposal caught auto makers by surprise.

Punjab observes state-wide bandh over anti-drug activist's murder

Punjab observes state-wide bandh over anti-drug activist's murder

Rediff.com16 Oct 2026

A state-wide bandh was observed across Punjab on Thursday following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Markets and educational institutions remained shut, and roads were blocked by protesters, disrupting traffic. Jhota was shot on Tuesday for questioning the illegal sale of addictive drugs. His family, supported by various political parties and farmer unions, has refused to perform his last rites until justice is delivered, demanding resignations of top officials and a CBI probe. The incident has intensified the political debate on drug menace and law and order in Punjab.

Tourists Arrested For Attacking Bus Driver In Shimla

Tourists Arrested For Attacking Bus Driver In Shimla

Rediff.com24 May 2026

Four tourists from Haryana were arrested for allegedly assaulting a bus driver in Shimla after he overtook their vehicles on the National Highway.

Banks, railways lead in corruption complaints, shows CVC report

Banks, railways lead in corruption complaints, shows CVC report

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

A recent Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report reveals that over 70,500 corruption complaints were lodged against various government bodies last year, with banks and the Railways accounting for the highest numbers. While a significant portion of these complaints has been disposed of, thousands remain under process, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing corruption within public sector entities.

Ambulance carrying soldier's body crashes; 3 of his family members, driver killed

Ambulance carrying soldier's body crashes; 3 of his family members, driver killed

Rediff.com4 Oct 2026

An Army ambulance carrying the remains of Subedar Major Satyawan collided with a stationary truck on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of three of his family members and the ambulance driver. The accident occurred near the Ayodhya-Sultanpur border.

How Ethanol Can Transform India's Energy Landscape

How Ethanol Can Transform India's Energy Landscape

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde highlighted ethanol's potential to protect India from volatile petroleum markets and geopolitical risks, advocating for its widespread production and use. He, along with other officials, emphasised ethanol's role in strengthening the rural economy, ensuring timely cane payments, and combating carbon emissions, while also discussing its historical context and current government support.

Hyundai Bets $15.5 Billion on India, Plans 26 Models

Hyundai Bets $15.5 Billion on India, Plans 26 Models

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

India remains one of the Hyundai Motor group's most important and strategic markets globally. The initiative positions India as a strategic core market for the group's growth, emerging market expansion, and next-generation automotive innovation.

Motorcyclist Dies After Collision With Bus In Beed

Motorcyclist Dies After Collision With Bus In Beed

Rediff.com21 May 2026

A 22-year-old man died after his motorcycle was struck by a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus in Beed. The accident occurred near Neknoor on the Ahilyanagar-Ahmedpur highway. Police are investigating the incident.

SC junks PIL seeking mandatory ethanol labelling at petrol pumps

SC junks PIL seeking mandatory ethanol labelling at petrol pumps

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking mandatory and uniform labelling of ethanol percentage in petrol at fuel pumps. The petitioner, Narendra Kumar Goswami, was advised to approach the jurisdictional high court for relief, with the Attorney General arguing it was a proxy litigation.

SC to hear plea on ethanol content disclosure at petrol pumps

SC to hear plea on ethanol content disclosure at petrol pumps

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition seeking mandatory and uniform labelling of ethanol percentage at petrol pumps and a public database on vehicle compatibility with ethanol-blended fuel. The plea also calls for an expert committee to assess the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, environment, and food security, and a consumer disclosure protocol.

Ex-Uttarakhand CM B C Khanduri Dies At 91

Ex-Uttarakhand CM B C Khanduri Dies At 91

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (retd), former Uttarakhand chief minister and respected BJP leader, has died at 91.

Gadkari calls for JVs with US cos to leverage their new tech

Gadkari calls for JVs with US cos to leverage their new tech

Rediff.com21 May 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has called for Indian companies to form joint ventures with US companies to leverage new technologies, while also expressing an ambitious target to make India's automobile industry the world's number one within five years.

Orangutans found in Odisha forest: Hunt on for black SUV

Orangutans found in Odisha forest: Hunt on for black SUV

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Odisha Police's STF and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau are investigating the rescue of five baby orangutans in Balasore, suspecting an international wildlife trafficking network. The probe focuses on a black SUV seen near the rescue site and potential routes from West Bengal, with officials believing the animals were trafficked from Southeast Asia. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called for stringent action against those involved.

E20 petrol: Nitin Gadkari sues Meta, X, Google over 'defamatory' AI deepfakes

E20 petrol: Nitin Gadkari sues Meta, X, Google over 'defamatory' AI deepfakes

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has filed a civil suit against Meta, X Corp, Google LLC, and unknown persons in the Bombay High Court over "defamatory" deepfakes and AI-generated posts concerning the ethanol policy. The court will hear the matter on August 5, with Gadkari seeking a permanent injunction and immediate takedown of the fake content, which he claims has harmed his reputation.

Tirumala Tirupati temple to insure devotees for Rs 2 lakh

Tirumala Tirupati temple to insure devotees for Rs 2 lakh

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced several new initiatives for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including Aadhaar-based devotee insurance for Rs 2 lakh, the establishment of an SV Museum by TCS Trust, and the introduction of electric buses donated by Reliance Foundation and Bharat Biotech. The plans also include global expansion of Srivari temples, improved Annadanam, integrated hospital services, and significant infrastructure development in Tirupati to make it a services and wedding destination with a Net Zero concept.

Pvt-funded highway construction model highest priority: Gadkari

Pvt-funded highway construction model highest priority: Gadkari

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

On the back of an aggressive asset monetisation push, the government will press the throttle on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model - under which private developers fund highway construction - for future highway development, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said.

CSIR Study Develops Advanced Model For Delhi's Environmental Noise Mapping

CSIR Study Develops Advanced Model For Delhi's Environmental Noise Mapping

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

A new study by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed an integrated land-use regression (iLUR) model to map environmental noise across Delhi. This innovative approach combines geographical and real-time traffic data, including vehicle counts, speeds, and honking, to provide a more accurate and cost-effective understanding of noise distribution in the city's complex urban landscape. The model aims to help authorities plan targeted measures for noise control.

Fuel-efficiency tool for trucks may be ready by Dec, launch likely in Feb

Fuel-efficiency tool for trucks may be ready by Dec, launch likely in Feb

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

India is set to launch Bharat Vecto, its first certification tool for assessing the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions of medium and heavy commercial vehicles, by December, with a full launch targeted for the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in February 2027.

Gadkari gets HC nod to sue Meta, X, Google over E20 deepfakes

Gadkari gets HC nod to sue Meta, X, Google over E20 deepfakes

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has received permission from the Bombay High Court to file a civil suit against Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC, and other unknown entities for allegedly circulating 'defamatory' deepfakes and AI-generated content against him.

E20 petrol safe, no engine failure reported, Gadkari tells Parliament

E20 petrol safe, no engine failure reported, Gadkari tells Parliament

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

The Indian government has defended its E20 ethanol blending programme, stating that extensive testing and field experience show no evidence of abnormal engine wear, corrosion, or reduced vehicle life, despite a potential 2-6% reduction in fuel economy.

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

As per the amended rules, an NOC for transfer of ownership or transfer of a vehicle from one state to another will not be granted until any unpaid user fee is cleared.

Maruti Suzuki launches India's first flex-fuel Wagon R, boosting ethanol adoption

Maruti Suzuki launches India's first flex-fuel Wagon R, boosting ethanol adoption

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has launched the Wagon R, India's first flex-fuel car, capable of running on any blend of ethanol and petrol from E20 to E100, aligning with national energy security and sustainability goals.

Nepal faces fresh threat as Bhotekoshi River swells

Nepal faces fresh threat as Bhotekoshi River swells

Rediff.com30 Aug 2026

The water levels in the Bhotekoshi River rose again on Sunday, days after a devastating flash flood struck Nepal, authorities warned, urging residents and rescue personnel in flood-hit districts to remain alert.

Why Is Colombo Still Biased Against Jaffna?

Why Is Colombo Still Biased Against Jaffna?

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

'The way the government behaves, sometimes I ask myself: Are not Tamils Sri Lankans too? Why do you discriminate so much?'

Centre Okays First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel Across Brahmaputra

Centre Okays First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel Across Brahmaputra

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The project is aimed at enabling faster movement of security forces and military equipment during exigencies, while also improving connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and other north eastern states.

Kerala Police Nab Drug Trafficker After Dramatic Highway Chase

Kerala Police Nab Drug Trafficker After Dramatic Highway Chase

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

A man was arrested in Kerala for allegedly transporting MDMA from Coimbatore, with police seizing the drugs and his vehicle after a high-speed chase.

SC directs Centre to formulate national SOP for Kanwar Yatra safety

SC directs Centre to formulate national SOP for Kanwar Yatra safety

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and several states on a plea demanding a comprehensive national Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the safe and orderly conduct of the annual Kanwar Yatra, including inter-state coordination and effective traffic management.

Landmark feat: 'Breakthrough' in Zojila tunnel achieved

Landmark feat: 'Breakthrough' in Zojila tunnel achieved

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

The Zojila tunnel, a crucial infrastructure project connecting the Kashmir Valley to Ladakh, achieved a significant breakthrough, connecting its two ends and moving closer to providing all-weather connectivity, reducing travel time from 1.5 hours to just 15 minutes.

SC mulls pan-India guidelines to prevent accidents on highways

SC mulls pan-India guidelines to prevent accidents on highways

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court of India is considering formulating pan-India guidelines to prevent road accidents on expressways and national highways, following a fatal accident in Rajasthan. The court is focusing on the issue of illegal 'dhabas' and encroachments along highways as potential causes of accidents.