News for 'Road Transport and Highways'

Pvt-funded highway construction model highest priority: Gadkari

Pvt-funded highway construction model highest priority: Gadkari

Rediff.com3 days ago

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.

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.

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.

No toll plaza queues anywhere in India by yearend, says Gadkari

No toll plaza queues anywhere in India by yearend, says Gadkari

Rediff.com3 days ago

'Within six months I expect petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles (EVs) to reach cost parity,' says Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

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.

SC orders removal of stray animals from highways, expressways

SC orders removal of stray animals from highways, expressways

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from highways and expressways, citing safety concerns and frequent accidents.

Fitness test fee for all 20-year-old motor vehicles hiked

Fitness test fee for all 20-year-old motor vehicles hiked

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

Months after the government increased renewal charges for older vehicles, the transport ministry has raised the fitness test fee for all motor vehicles older than 20 years to discourage people from keeping them.

UK unveils stricter road safety norms named after Indian-origin boy

UK unveils stricter road safety norms named after Indian-origin boy

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The UK government has announced a new road safety strategy, including 'Dev's Law' named after an Indian-origin boy killed in a road accident, to reduce deaths and serious injuries on British roads.

Govt Plans Car-To-Car Alerts To Prevent Crashes

Govt Plans Car-To-Car Alerts To Prevent Crashes

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

'We hope we will be able to at least end crashes that involve collisions with stationary vehicles as there will be an automatic warning.'

Mumbai-Pune Expressway traffic chaos ends after 33 hours

Mumbai-Pune Expressway traffic chaos ends after 33 hours

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway resumed at 1.46 am after the damaged gas tanker was shifted from the accident site, an official said.

2 days in Delhi and I get infection: Gadkari on toxic air

2 days in Delhi and I get infection: Gadkari on toxic air

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

"I am the Transport Minister, and 40% of the pollution is caused by us," Gadkari acknowledged.

Trade union strike sees mixed response; normal life unaffected

Trade union strike sees mixed response; normal life unaffected

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

A nationwide strike called by central trade unions saw a mixed response across India, impacting various sectors and states differently, with some areas experiencing disruptions while others remained largely unaffected.

Road, rail, ministries cross halfway mark in capex spending till Sep

Road, rail, ministries cross halfway mark in capex spending till Sep

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

The ministries of Road Transport & Highways and Railways have exceeded the national average capital expenditure (capex) by spending 63 per cent and 57 per cent of Budget estimates (BE), respectively, in the first half of 2025-26 (FY26). The total capital expenditure for April-September of FY26 stood at 52 per cent of the BE, according to the latest data by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

Mumbai-Pune Expressway gridlocked for 30 hours; relief likely on Thursday

Mumbai-Pune Expressway gridlocked for 30 hours; relief likely on Thursday

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police have advised motorists to avoid the Mumbai-Pune Expressway until regular traffic movement is restored.

'El Mencho', Mexico's most wanted drug lord killed in military raid

'El Mencho', Mexico's most wanted drug lord killed in military raid

Rediff.com5 days ago

Mexico is facing widespread violence and travel advisories after the death of drug lord 'El Mencho,' the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a military operation.

9 Noisiest Cities In The World

9 Noisiest Cities In The World

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

According to a United Nations Environment Program 2022 report, these nine cities are known for particularly high sound levels.

Green signal for Rs 22,000 cr Mumbai-Navi Mumbai airport Metro project

Green signal for Rs 22,000 cr Mumbai-Navi Mumbai airport Metro project

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee has approved a 35-km Metro project to connect the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai international airports at a cost of over Rs 22,000 crore.

Could The Kurnool Bus Tragedy Have Been Avoided?

Could The Kurnool Bus Tragedy Have Been Avoided?

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

'This tragedy will not be the last -- you shall witness another tomorrow, perhaps another the day after, and increasingly more.'

Centre Creates Plan To Avoid Tunnel Collapses

Centre Creates Plan To Avoid Tunnel Collapses

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

'The recent occurrences of tunnel collapses during construction have prompted a critical assessment of current implementation methodologies and the necessary improvements to prevent such incidents from recurring.'

US Strikes Venezuela, Captures President

US Strikes Venezuela, Captures President

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Dramatic scenes unfolded in Caracas as tensions escalated between the US and Venezuela on January 3, 2026. Following President Donald Trump's announcement of strikes on Venezuela and the reported capture of President Nicolas Maduro, smoke rose near the Fort Tiuna military zone while residents evacuated and queued for fuel.

How RSS Celebrated Its Centenary

How RSS Celebrated Its Centenary

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh celebrated its centenary on Vijayadashami at the Reshimbagh ground in Nagpur on October 2. RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat led the occasion with former President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest.

'Life Possesses No Value In Our System'

'Life Possesses No Value In Our System'

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

'A bus driver should possess a comprehensive road plan: Toll plazas, major hospitals, road conditions, repairs, diversions, and dangerous areas.' 'Only through such preparation can we save lives.' 'Otherwise, simply sitting in the driver's seat and pressing the accelerator -- anyone can do that.'

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

'I can sanction projects worth Rs 20 trillion annually as of today.' 'But my system is only capable of executing projects worth Rs 3 trillion to Rs 4 trillion.'

Mumbai-Goa highway to be ready by June, no more toll booths: Gadkari

Mumbai-Goa highway to be ready by June, no more toll booths: Gadkari

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced that the long-delayed Mumbai-Goa highway will be completed by June this year. He also revealed that a new toll policy will be announced within the next 15 days, which will eliminate physical toll booths across the country. Gadkari attributed the delay in the highway project to legal disputes and land acquisition issues. He expressed confidence in India's infrastructural future, stating that the country's road infrastructure will be better than that of the United States in the next two years.

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares," a statement issued by the PMO stated.

Gadkari: AI To Detect Landslides, Waterlogging Soon

Gadkari: AI To Detect Landslides, Waterlogging Soon

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

Nitin Gadkari said AI will be used to detect landslides, waterlogging and accident-prone spots on highways, while highlighting logistics cost cuts and road safety initiatives

India's Aging Bridges Under Scrutiny

India's Aging Bridges Under Scrutiny

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Among India's 150,746 railway bridges, 25.8 per cent are over a century old.

Govt keen to make India's auto sector No.1 globally: Gadkari

Govt keen to make India's auto sector No.1 globally: Gadkari

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

The government is working to make India's automobile industry number one in the world within five years, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday. Inaugurating the 'International Value Summit 2025', Gadkari said the automobile sector pays maximum GST revenue to the government and generates employment opportunities.

Gadkari: 'E20 Fuel Criticism Is Propaganda'

Gadkari: 'E20 Fuel Criticism Is Propaganda'

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

'The petrol lobby is very rich and strong.'

FASTag-based annual pass of Rs 3,000 to be launched

FASTag-based annual pass of Rs 3,000 to be launched

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the government will introduce a FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles, priced at Rs 3,000, effective from August 15, in a step towards hassle-free highway travel.

Realty's Next Address: SPR, Sohna Power NCR's Growth

Realty's Next Address: SPR, Sohna Power NCR's Growth

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

Part-I of this three-part series dives into Delhi-NCR's SPR, Sohna, Dwarka Expressway, and Jewar Airport leading the charge.

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

A thick layer of toxic smog enveloped the national capital on Saturday as air quality deteriorated sharply, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke the strictest curbs under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

Landslides, heavy rains kill 5 in Himachal; 1200 roads closed

Landslides, heavy rains kill 5 in Himachal; 1200 roads closed

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

Heavy rains and landslides in Himachal Pradesh have resulted in multiple fatalities and widespread disruption, including road closures and train cancellations.

Highway toll charges hiked by 4-5% across India

Highway toll charges hiked by 4-5% across India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

Commuters on national highways and expressways will need to pay more for their road journeys, as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased toll charges by an average of 4 to 5 per cent on highway sections across the country. The revised toll charges for motorists on national highways across the country have come into effect from Tuesday, a senior highways ministry official told PTI.

Truth, not flattery, should guide politics, says Nitin Gadkari

Truth, not flattery, should guide politics, says Nitin Gadkari

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and confidence in politics, citing Balasaheb Thackeray as an example. He also addresses funding in his department and praises from Chief Minister Fadnavis.

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

'I am not an aspiration-oriented politician.' 'This is the time to redefine politics.' 'Politics of power is not real politics.'

Toll-free highway travel up to 20 km for private vehicles with GNSS

Toll-free highway travel up to 20 km for private vehicles with GNSS

Rediff.com10 Sep 2024

Under the new regulations, known as the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024, fees will now be charged on the actual distance travelled if the distance exceeds 20 kilometres.

Get ready to pay more for Uber, Ola during peak hours

Get ready to pay more for Uber, Ola during peak hours

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The road transport ministry has allowed cab aggregators to charge up to two times the base fare during peak hours, as against 1.5 times earlier, while for non-peak hours the fare has to be a minimum of 50 per cent of the base fare.

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

'Such Catastrophes Will Only Worsen'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'There is a clear relationship between the Char Dham road widening and these landslides.' 'The situation has further worsened with the massive influx of tourists whose number are running into several lakhs per month.' 'No parameters have been laid down to control tourist inflow and the result is that the Char Dham yatra has seen a sharp escalation in accidents and loss of lives.'

How To Stay Safe During Umrah

How To Stay Safe During Umrah

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Tips to avoid the heat, crowds, and travel risks, including incidents like the tragic Mufrihat accident that killed 45 Indian pilgrims.