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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari stated earlier this week that commuters using national highways would soon be able to access key details of contractors and concerned officers, including their names, addresses, and contact numbers. The initiative aims to ensure greater accountability within highway projects. Speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conference in New Delhi, Gadkari highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance road safety, promote transparency, and integrate sustainability through the use of plastic waste and treated water in infrastructure development.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari announced earlier this week that commuters travelling on national highways would soon have access to details of contractors and officers responsible for project management, including their names, addresses, and mobile numbers. Addressing a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, he explained that this initiative was intended to strengthen accountability and ensure better project monitoring. Advertisement
The announcement followed an earlier statement from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which had revealed its plan to install project information boards equipped with QR codes along highway stretches. These signboards would allow commuters to obtain project details and emergency helpline numbers by scanning the codes.
Gadkari also discussed a comprehensive plan for 2027 aimed at promoting sustainability through the use of legacy waste. The plan includes utilising around 80 lakh tonnes of segregated plastic waste in road construction and reusing treated water from purification plants for infrastructure works. He mentioned that scanning the designated system would provide all project-related information, helping commuters identify the officials responsible in case of inconvenience.
The minister added that performance audits of road projects were being carried out, and strict action would be taken against any lapses. He elaborated on a three-pronged "P" approach focusing on People, Prosperity, and Planet to create world-class infrastructure. Gadkari mentioned that over 670 roads and amenities had been developed for commuter convenience and pointed out that contractors bear a defect liability of ten years, during which any issue must be addressed by both contractors and supervising officers.
He further noted that the development of projects like the Dwarka Expressway had brought considerable prosperity to surrounding areas, generating between INR 5-7 lakh crore worth of real estate development. Stressing the importance of sustainable growth, Gadkari emphasised that economic development must go hand in hand with ecology and environmental protection. Referring to Delhi's pollution levels, he remarked that he often felt compelled to leave the city soon after arriving due to poor air quality.
Highlighting the ministry's green initiatives, Gadkari mentioned that 8,500 trees had been transplanted along the Dwarka Expressway. He also projected that the ministry's annual revenue, currently around INR 55,000 crore, could rise to INR 1.4 lakh crore within the next two years, reflecting the sector's robust growth potential.
Nitin Gadkari's announcement reflects a push towards greater transparency, accountability, and sustainability in India's highway infrastructure sector. The integration of digital tools like QR-coded information boards aims to empower commuters and improve project oversight. Meanwhile, the focus on eco-friendly construction using plastic waste and treated water underlines the government's commitment to sustainable development. With substantial revenue growth projected, the ministry's approach seeks to balance progress with environmental responsibility, reinforcing India's drive towards a more resilient and transparent infrastructure ecosystem.
Source - PTI
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