News for 'Union Road Transport and Highways'

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.

Stop Displaying 'Army' On Private Vehicles

Stop Displaying 'Army' On Private Vehicles

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

Displaying 'ARMY' on private transport is an attempt to milk the respect and reverence that the common citizen has for a person in the armed forces, observes Colonel K Thammayya Udupa (retd). By writing 'ARMY' and displaying regimental insignias, we expect a few misdemeanours to be overlooked.

When Stalin Met Thala...

When Stalin Met Thala...

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

What some of our leaders were up to over the weekend.

Not just smart cities, govt promises houses for Rs 5 lakh!

Not just smart cities, govt promises houses for Rs 5 lakh!

Rediff.com10 Feb 2016

'We will be able to provide 450 square feet house in Rs 5 lakh,' Nitin Gadkari said.

Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP, India's first crash testing programme

Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP, India's first crash testing programme

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched the country's first crash testing programme Bharat NCAP aimed at improving road safety standards of motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is India's own crash testing programme and is cheaper than tests conducted abroad, Gadkari said, adding that the star ratings will help buyers understand the quality of the product and make an informed purchase decision. Bharat NCAP will be implemented from October 1, 2023.

100-day agenda: Commerce ministry pushes for separate logistics department

100-day agenda: Commerce ministry pushes for separate logistics department

Rediff.com29 May 2019

100-day agenda: Commerce ministry pushes for separate logistics department

SC upholds validity of penal laws on criminal defamation

SC upholds validity of penal laws on criminal defamation

Rediff.com13 May 2016

The verdict was reserved on August 13 last year after bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Prafulla C Pant heard the matter spread over a month.

Initial hours were scary, thought we would die soon: Tunnel survivor on ordeal

Initial hours were scary, thought we would die soon: Tunnel survivor on ordeal

Rediff.com29 Nov 2023

The worker said there was a natural source of water in the tunnel but they had no clothes to change.

GQ project to be ready by 2004: Minister

GQ project to be ready by 2004: Minister

Rediff.com28 Jul 2003

The Golden Quadrilateral project connecting the four metros -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota and Chennai would be completed by the end of 2004, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and National Highways Shripad Naik said.

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.

No beacon lights for PM, ministers from May 1

No beacon lights for PM, ministers from May 1

Rediff.com19 Apr 2017

It has been decided to do away with beacons of all kinds on top of all categories of vehicles in the country.

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

While she primed up spending on infrastructure to create jobs and boost economic activity, Sitharaman did not tinker with income tax slabs or tax rates. Her Budget for the fiscal year beginning April 2022 proposed a massive 35 per cent jump in capital expenditure to Rs 7.5 lakh crore, coupled with rationalisation of customs duty, an extension of time for setting up new manufacturing companies and plans for starting a digital currency and tax crypto assets.

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.

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.

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday unveiled the prototype of the world's first Bharat Stage (BS)-VI-compliant electrified flex-fuel car, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The car, which runs on 100 per cent ethanol (E100), is based on the Toyota Innova HyCross. It can cover 40 per cent of its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 per cent on electric, with the petrol engine shut off.

Reduce use of diesel, go for bio-fuels: Gadkari

Reduce use of diesel, go for bio-fuels: Gadkari

Rediff.com10 Apr 2015

Gadkari said the NDA govt is keen to develop inland waterways in the country.

Highlights of Union Budget 2021-22

Highlights of Union Budget 2021-22

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday presented the Budget for 2021-22 in the Lok Sabha that is expected to provide relief to the pandemic-hit common man as well as focus more on driving economic recovery through higher spending on healthcare, infrastructure and defence amid rising tensions with neighbours, As India emerges from the COVID-19 crisis, the ninth Budget under the Modi government, including an interim one, is widely expected to focus on boosting spending on job creation and rural development, generous allocations for development schemes, putting more money in the hands of the average taxpayer and easing rules to attract foreign investments.

GST on petroleum products will cut fuel taxes: Gadkari

GST on petroleum products will cut fuel taxes: Gadkari

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

Bringing petrol, diesel and other petroleum products under the single nation-wide GST regime will reduce taxes on these products and increase the revenue of both the Centre and states, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will definitely try to bring petrol and diesel under GST if she gets the support of the state governments, said Gadkari while addressing the Times Now Summit virtually. "In the GST Council, finance ministers of states are also members.

VK Singh's tweet sparks questions on health system

VK Singh's tweet sparks questions on health system

Rediff.com18 Apr 2021

Singh's post prompted Twitterati to question the state of the medical infrastructure in the country where even the minister's relatives were struggling.

Motor Vehicles Bill to be re-introduced without major changes

Motor Vehicles Bill to be re-introduced without major changes

Rediff.com17 Jun 2019

Changes in the draft essentially mean that the year of the Motor Vehicles Bill 2016 will change to 2019 besides other such technical amendments. But the contents of the bill remain the same.

How farmers' Bharat Bandh impacted various states

How farmers' Bharat Bandh impacted various states

Rediff.com27 Sep 2021

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a forum comprising 40 farmer unions, called for a Bharat Bandh on Monday against the Centre's three agriculture laws. Here is its impact across the country:

Gadkari threatens criminal defamation case against Rahul for 'insulting' Sushma

Gadkari threatens criminal defamation case against Rahul for 'insulting' Sushma

Rediff.com24 Jul 2015

Union Minister Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday warned of a criminal defamation case against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi if the latter continues to insult External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

BJP vows to revive TN upper house abolished by ally AIADMK founder

BJP vows to revive TN upper house abolished by ally AIADMK founder

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

The BJP promised revival of the legislative council in Tamil Nadu, which was abolished decades ago by its ally, the ruling AIADMK, if their combine was voted to power in the coming assembly elections.

'Scrapping centres will be an industry'

'Scrapping centres will be an industry'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

'Our automakers export 50 per cent of what they manufacture and once the policy comes into play, which is in the next 2-3 years, we would become a Rs 10 trillion industry.'

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.

Skilling to become mandatory in govt tenders

Skilling to become mandatory in govt tenders

Rediff.com17 Jul 2016

Government tenders could soon go to bidders who promise to train highest number of youth.

Why NHAI may shut its electronic-tolling arm

Why NHAI may shut its electronic-tolling arm

Rediff.com30 Jul 2018

IHMCL implemented the FASTag electronic tolling of national highways, but due to technical glitches, road ministry is mulling the option of offering this job to a Korean company

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.

PM Modi puts Cabinet colleagues on Yoga Day duty

PM Modi puts Cabinet colleagues on Yoga Day duty

Rediff.com18 Jun 2016

The Bharatiya Janata Party has released a list of 50 ministers with their assigned locations, where they will participate in the Yoga Day celebrations on Tuesday.

Fee for Bharat Series-registered vehicles can be paid in tranches

Fee for Bharat Series-registered vehicles can be paid in tranches

Rediff.com30 Aug 2021

The owner can pay registration fee for two years and the other amount in instalments in later years, in multiples of two.

Nitin Gadkari's ambitious 5-year roadmap

Nitin Gadkari's ambitious 5-year roadmap

Rediff.com5 Jun 2019

The minister said that the priority for him will be "rolling out all stuck highway projects that include many of the IL&FS projects within 100 days".

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.

Cabinet paves way for privatisation of govt-owned insurers

Cabinet paves way for privatisation of govt-owned insurers

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, paving the way for privatisation of government-owned insurers. The amendments, approved by Cabinet, will remove the clause for the Centre to hold at least 51 per cent in public sector insurance companies at any given time. It will also have an enabling provision for the transfer of management control from the government to the potential buyer of the public sector insurance company. The finance ministry will move amendments to the insurance Act in the ongoing Parliament session.

Rescued worker tells Modi how they survived

Rescued worker tells Modi how they survived

Rediff.com29 Nov 2023

The 41 workers, who were rescued from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel in a multi-agency rescue operation, kept their spirits up while trapped inside by taking morning walks and practising yoga, a rescued worker told Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Don't sell Made in China EVs in India: Gadkari to Tesla

Don't sell Made in China EVs in India: Gadkari to Tesla

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said he has asked US-based Tesla several times to manufacture its iconic electric vehicles in India, while assuring that all support will be provided by the government to the company. Addressing 'India Today Conclave 2021', Gadkari further said electric cars manufactured by Tata Motors are not less good than electric cars manufactured by Tesla. "I have told Tesla that don't sell electric cars in India which your company has manufactured in China.

So near, yet so far: Tunnel rescue put on hold again

So near, yet so far: Tunnel rescue put on hold again

Rediff.com23 Nov 2023

Boring through the rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel was put on hold again on Thursday apparently after cracks appeared in the platform on which the drilling machine rests, in a fresh hurdle to the rescue of 41 workers trapped inside for 11 days.

12 smart cities planned with Rs 50K-cr investment

12 smart cities planned with Rs 50K-cr investment

Rediff.com22 Feb 2015

Each port will construct one smart city.

Fadnavis in court admits to 'inadvertent mistake' in poll affidavit

Fadnavis in court admits to 'inadvertent mistake' in poll affidavit

Rediff.com9 May 2023

Fadnavis (52), in an explanatory statement submitted to civil judge VM Deshmukh on April 15, said there was no intention to deliberately conceal information about the two "insignificant" complaint cases.

Post-Nath, RoadMin may ease annuity stand

Post-Nath, RoadMin may ease annuity stand

Rediff.com21 Feb 2011

Officials say the new minister, CP Joshi, is convinced by the Planning Commission that the government should award more contracts under the tolling mode.