News for 'Road Transport and Highways'

Emission Norms Battle Hots Up: M&M Counters Maruti Suzuki

Emission Norms Battle Hots Up: M&M Counters Maruti Suzuki

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

The growing rift between MSIL and rival automakers has complicated the government's efforts to finalise the CAFE norms.

After Brahmaputra dam, China to build Xinjiang-Tibet rail link near LAC

After Brahmaputra dam, China to build Xinjiang-Tibet rail link near LAC

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

China is set to build a rail link connecting Xinjiang province with Tibet, part of which will run near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.

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.

Gadkari scores on highways test, fails on road safety

Gadkari scores on highways test, fails on road safety

Rediff.com5 Jan 2019

The National Highways Authority of India will this year witness the highest ever growth out of the last decade. But Gadkari himself admits his biggest failure as India's roads minister has been his inability to curb loss of life in road accidents.

Newly constructed bridge collapses in Bihar, none hurt

Newly constructed bridge collapses in Bihar, none hurt

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

The bridge, constructed by the rural works department at a cost of Rs 10 crore, was not opened to the public as approach roads were yet to be constructed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'Space Transportation Has To Be Like Booking A Cab'

'Space Transportation Has To Be Like Booking A Cab'

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

'We started AgniKul to show that space transportation should be as simple as road transportation.'

Why EV sales set roads on fire in July

Why EV sales set roads on fire in July

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in July touched 178,948 units, marking the highest monthly sales this financial year. This represents a 27.9 per cent increase from June, which saw 139,905 units sold, according to the Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The strong performance in July contributed to more than one million being sold in the first seven months of the calendar year.

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.

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.

Govt will not make six airbags mandatory for cars: Nitin Gadkari

Govt will not make six airbags mandatory for cars: Nitin Gadkari

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

The government will not make six airbags mandatory for cars, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. The government last year proposed to implement the six airbags safety norm from October 2023 for enhanced safety of occupants. "We don't want to make six airbags rule for cars mandatory," Gadkari said at an event in New Delhi.

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.

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.

Kashmir Gets Tunnel Friendly

Kashmir Gets Tunnel Friendly

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

On Monday, April 10, 2023, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugrated the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh highway.

New e-rickshaws on the roads soon

New e-rickshaws on the roads soon

Rediff.com11 Nov 2014

The ministry of road transport and highways on Monday launched a modified e-rickshaw based on the new rules notified through amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act.

Politics now only means 'power politics': Gadkari

Politics now only means 'power politics': Gadkari

Rediff.com27 Sep 2024

A good party worker is the one who behaves well even though he does not get anything in the party. Those who get something, they naturally behave well, Gadkari 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.

Tata ev's Punch, Nexon Scores 5 In Crash Test

Tata ev's Punch, Nexon Scores 5 In Crash Test

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

The Punch.ev achieved the highest score point ever recorded by any vehicle to date, scoring 31.46 out of 32 for adult occupant protection and 45 out of 49 for child occupant protection.

62 toll plazas on national highways, expressways closed

62 toll plazas on national highways, expressways closed

Rediff.com30 Apr 2015

A webportal has been launched with information concerning toll plazas on national highways and expressways

Highway widening delayed

Highway widening delayed

Rediff.com1 Aug 2005

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.

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.'

Road projects may hit slow lane in near term

Road projects may hit slow lane in near term

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

A 25 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in budget allocation towards the roads sector for FY24 has led to renewed interest among investors. However, a combination of escalating costs for Bharatmala and unseasonal rains to some extent have impacted progress. Bharatmala's cost has nearly doubled from Rs 5.35 trillion to Rs 10.6 trillion and the finance ministry has asked MoRTH to go slow until Cabinet approval is received.

FMCG distributors flag deep discounts by qcom cos to govt

FMCG distributors flag deep discounts by qcom cos to govt

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) distributors' association has written to the finance ministry, highlighting concern over fund utilisation and fund accumulation by quick commerce companies and deep discounting of goods on their platforms. According to a recent letter seen by Business Standard, All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) noted that its analysis indicated that approximately 80 per cent of these funds were directed toward customer acquisition strategies instead of creating cutting-edge innovations or sustainable growth models for the retail sector.

150 highway plans overshoot budget

150 highway plans overshoot budget

Rediff.com29 Jul 2009

The cost overruns were because of rise in prices of construction materials, delay in land acquisition, utility shifting and obtaining clearances from forest/environment, he said during Question Hour. Poor performance of some contractors and law and order problems in some states were some other reasons.

'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.'

Remove 18% GST on life, medical insurance premium: Gadkari to Sitharaman

Remove 18% GST on life, medical insurance premium: Gadkari to Sitharaman

Rediff.com31 Jul 2024

Both life insurance and medical insurance premiums are subject to an 18 per cent GST rate.

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).

Joshi for transparency in highways sector

Joshi for transparency in highways sector

Rediff.com21 Jan 2011

The Minister for Road Transport and Highways C P Joshi, on assuming charge at the ministry, said improving the quality of roads built and bringing in transparency in the operations of the ministry would be his priority.

Omar meets PM: What is Centre's plan on restoring J-K statehood?

Omar meets PM: What is Centre's plan on restoring J-K statehood?

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

This restoration, according to the officials, is seen as a crucial step towards initiating a healing process, reinstating constitutional rights and safeguarding the unique identity of the region's residents.

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.

Eco Survey: New EPC model to revitalise highways

Eco Survey: New EPC model to revitalise highways

Rediff.com27 Feb 2013

As a new initiative for promoting highway development, the mode of engineering procurement and construction contracts is being brought in, it said.

Uttarkashi rescue op challenging because...: Gadkari

Uttarkashi rescue op challenging because...: Gadkari

Rediff.com19 Nov 2023

The minister for road transport and highways, who was accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, said the rescue operation is challenging as the soil strata in the Himalayan region is not uniform.