Faulty Road Construction Should Be a Non-Bailable Offense: Gadkari

20 Jan 2025 CW Team

Gadkari highlighted that India ranks first globally in road accidents, with over 500,000 incidents recorded in 2023, resulting in 1,72,000 fatalities. Of these, 66.4% (1,14,000) involved individuals aged 18-45, while 10,000 were children. Additionally, 55,000 deaths occurred due to the absence of helmets, and 30,000 were attributed to non-use of seat belts.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aims to halve road accident fatalities by 2030. To this end, the government is investing Rs 400 billion to address black spots on highways. Gadkari urged industry stakeholders to collaborate with the government in setting up driver training and fitness centers to tackle the country's driver shortage.

As part of safety initiatives, Gadkari announced plans to equip trucks with driver fatigue and sleep-detection devices. "In other countries, drivers stop after eight hours of driving. Here, drivers often continue for 15-18 hours, which increases fatigue-related accidents," he said.

He also stressed the need to involve schoolchildren, from classes 5 to 11, in road safety campaigns, making them "road safety ambassadors." In the auto sector, Bharat NCAP Ratings have been introduced to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Gadkari advocated for improving Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) from a safety perspective and incentivizing safe driving. "Penalising violations is only part of the solution. Companies should study the Nagpur pilot project, where safe drivers are rewarded with discounts, coupons, and other incentives," he said.

Road Transport and Highways Secretary V Umashankar emphasised that road safety must become a mass movement. "Every accident point and black spot has its own story. We need to raise awareness at the district level to address these issues effectively," he stated.

The minister's recommendations signal a comprehensive approach to tackling road safety issues through accountability, innovation, and public engagement.

(New Indian Express)

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has called for stringent measures to improve road safety, including making faulty road construction a non-bailable offense. Addressing an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Gadkari emphasised holding road contractors, concessionaires, and engineers accountable for accidents caused by poor construction and design.Gadkari highlighted that India ranks first globally in road accidents, with over 500,000 incidents recorded in 2023, resulting in 1,72,000 fatalities. Of these, 66.4% (1,14,000) involved individuals aged 18-45, while 10,000 were children. Additionally, 55,000 deaths occurred due to the absence of helmets, and 30,000 were attributed to non-use of seat belts.The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aims to halve road accident fatalities by 2030. To this end, the government is investing Rs 400 billion to address black spots on highways. Gadkari urged industry stakeholders to collaborate with the government in setting up driver training and fitness centers to tackle the country's driver shortage.As part of safety initiatives, Gadkari announced plans to equip trucks with driver fatigue and sleep-detection devices. In other countries, drivers stop after eight hours of driving. Here, drivers often continue for 15-18 hours, which increases fatigue-related accidents, he said.He also stressed the need to involve schoolchildren, from classes 5 to 11, in road safety campaigns, making them road safety ambassadors. In the auto sector, Bharat NCAP Ratings have been introduced to ensure compliance with safety standards.Gadkari advocated for improving Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) from a safety perspective and incentivizing safe driving. Penalising violations is only part of the solution. Companies should study the Nagpur pilot project, where safe drivers are rewarded with discounts, coupons, and other incentives, he said.Road Transport and Highways Secretary V Umashankar emphasised that road safety must become a mass movement. Every accident point and black spot has its own story. We need to raise awareness at the district level to address these issues effectively, he stated.The minister's recommendations signal a comprehensive approach to tackling road safety issues through accountability, innovation, and public engagement.(New Indian Express)

Real Estate

26 Jun 2026

Manglam Group to Develop Sheraton Hotel in Jaipur

Manglam Group has signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop a Sheraton hotel on the Jaipur–Ajmer Highway in Jaipur. The project will feature 220 keys and is being developed with an investment of around Rs 3.5 billion across more than 300,000 sq ft.The hotel marks Manglam Group’s third collaboration with Marriott International and forms part of its Rs 10 billion hospitality investment roadmap. The agreement was signed by Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Group and CEO, Manglam Spa and Resorts, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding Greater China, Marriott Interna..

Infrastructure Urban

26 Jun 2026

India Warehousing Show 2026 opens at YashoBhoomi

India's warehousing, logistics, and supply chain ecosystem came together as the 15th edition of India Warehousing Show (IWS) 2026 opened at YashoBhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi on June 25 (Thursday). Organised by RX India, the three-day event will run from 25-27 June 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and supply chain professionals under one roof. It also features a two-day knowledge conference that will run alongside the exhibition. Inaugurated by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary - Logistics, DPIIT..

Real Estate

26 Jun 2026

Platinum Corp Launches Bespoke Presidential Suites

Platinum Corp has launched Platinum Stellar: Bespoke Presidential Suites, a luxury residential project on Main Avenue in Santacruz, Mumbai. The project has been positioned as a boutique, design-led development for high-net-worth individuals, business owners and legacy residents from the Bandra-Khar-Santacruz belt.The project has been developed in collaboration with celebrity interior designer Sussanne Khan and follows a design-first approach inspired by Art Deco architecture. It incorporates refined detailing, spacious layouts, premium material palettes and arrival experiences planned to creat..