- Two-day national conclave on highway infrastructure opened at Ekta Nagar, Narmada District
- Transport and PWD ministers from States attend the Chintan Shivir
- Gadkari urged better planning at the Detailed Project Report stage
- Road safety to be built into highway planning from the start
- Environment and Wildlife Mitigation Measures document launched
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the two-day Chintan Shivir 2026 on highway infrastructure at Ekta Nagar in Narmada District, Gujarat, on Tuesday.
The conclave is being held at Tent City 2, near the Statue of Unity. It is themed “Gatishakti se Pragati”. Transport and PWD ministers from states, senior state PWD officials and implementing agencies are taking part. Minister of State Harsh Malhotra also addressed the inaugural session.
Better planning, faster projects
Gadkari said the conclave gives the Centre and states a platform to think together and share field-level experience. He said successful practices from one state should be shared, evaluated and copied where suitable.
He stressed quality, safety, speed and world-class standards. He asked for stronger preparation at the Detailed Project Report stage, covering surveys, alignment, land acquisition, utility shifting and timely clearances. Better early preparation, he said, can reduce delays and cost escalation.
Safety and green roads
Gadkari said road safety must be part of highway planning and design from the beginning. He called for identifying accident-prone spots and adding safety measures during planning and construction.
He also called for environment-friendly construction, greater use of recycled materials, and measures to protect the environment and wildlife. A document on Environment & Wildlife Mitigation Measures was launched at the session.
Sessions and launches
The two-day programme will cover PM GatiShakti and integrated planning, land acquisition and Bhoomi Rashi, model concession agreements, safe and green highway design, road safety and toll reform, and quality assurance. A BRICS Compendium on Perspectives in Sustainable Transport was also launched.
Gadkari highlighted FASTag Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) as steps to make tolling faster and more convenient for motorists.
He urged all stakeholders to work together for safer, high-quality and future-ready highways in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
