Nitin Gadkari

Govt to soon launch grade-based driving licence system, says Gadkari

To promote responsible driving and prevent road mishaps, the government is planning to introduce a grade-based driving license system with stricter provisions, including licence cancellation for certain traffic rule violations. Every year, around 1.8 lakh people die across the country due to factors such as using a mobile phone while driving, over speeding, wrong-side driving and drunken driving, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said. People's lives are extremely important, and the government is taking various measures towards road safety, he said, addressing the National Conclave on Road Safety organised by industry body CII in the national capital. The government has already increased penalties for traffic violations, but the biggest issue is the enforcement, Gadkari said, adding that there is no fear or respect for the law. "We are bringing a graded point system in driving licences," he said. Explaining the concept, Gadkari said some points may be .

AI, EVs, hydrogen to power India's 2047 Vision: Nitin Gadkari at BS Manthan

What will it take to make India future-ready by 2047? Faster highways, cheaper electric vehicles, hydrogen at $1 per kg, zero toll queues and safer roads, said Union minister Nitin Gadkari

BS Manthan 2026: AI, trade currents reshape policy discourse on Day 1

Speaker after speaker assessed the likely impact of emerging technologies, especially AI, on risk and opportunity scale while exploring ways to make India future-ready at BS Manthan 2026

Private-funded highway construction model highest priority: Nitin Gadkari

Have ₹15 trillion of monetisable highways ready, says minister

Policy, AI and growth themes set tone at Day 1 of BS Manthan 2026

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari headlined the first day of the summit

At BS Manthan 2026, leaders debate AI, trade and India's future readiness

At BS Manthan 2026, ministers, industry leaders and policy experts debated AI, trade, demographics and sustainability as India navigates geopolitical shifts and prepares for a tech-driven future

AI, EVs, hydrogen to power India's 2047 Vision: Nitin Gadkari at BS Manthan

At BS Manthan, Union minister Nitin Gadkari laid out a blueprint for India's infrastructure, EV surge, hydrogen economy and road safety reset

Piyush Goyal, Nitin Gadkari to headline Day 1 of BS Manthan: Full schedule

Union ministers, top policymakers and industry leaders gather at Bharat Mandapam on February 24 to debate AI, reforms, mobility, trade and India's 2047 roadmap

Pothole deaths rise 53% in 5 yrs; UP accounts for over half of fatalities

Deaths caused by pothole-related road accidents have risen by 53 per cent over the past five years, with 9,438 people killed across the country between 2020 and 2024, the government informed Parliament. Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for more than 54 per cent of these fatalities, emerging as the worst-affected state. The data shared by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in a written reply showed that while fatalities dipped slightly in 2021, they have climbed steadily since, reaching a peak of 2,385 deaths in 2024. While the annual death toll saw a marginal dip from 1,555 in 2020 to 1,481 in 2021, it has surged every year since. Fatalities rose to 1,856 in 2022, 2,161 in 2023, and peaked at 2,385 in 2024. Uttar Pradesh consistently recorded the highest casualties, with 5,127 deaths reported between 2020 and 2024. In 2024 alone, the state saw 1,369 pothole-related deaths more than half the national total, up from 1,320 in 2023 and 1,030 in 2022. Madhya Pradesh follow

New policies in works for faster decision-making: Gadkari on Invit push

Kahi problemach nahi (there's no problem). The NHAI is economically sound, and it has an AAA rating, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said

Maharashtra govt signs MoUs worth over ₹48K cr with auto, steel firms

Maharashtra signs ₹48,000-crore investment MoUs for Vidarbha, with Mahindra's ₹15,000-crore Nagpur plant anchoring the push to build an auto and steel hub

Around 59 mn FASTags currently active, out of 118.6 mn issued: Gadkari

There are around 5.9 crore FASTags active across the country, of the total 11.86 crore FASTags issued so far, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. FASTag is an RFID passive tag used for making toll payments directly from the customer's linked prepaid, savings, or current account. Presently, more than 98 per cent of user fee on National Highways is collected through electronic toll collection system, the Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. "As of December, 2025, out of total issued 11.86 crore FASTags since inception, about 5.9 crore FASTags are active across the country and used for electronic toll transactions at National Highway Fee Plazas," Gadkari informed the Upper House. The number of average daily ETC transactions on NH fee plaza is around 105 lakh in 2025-26 (till December, 2025). The constant growth and adoption of FASTag by highway users is encouraging and has helped in increased efficiency in toll ...

Budget places infra at heart of journey towards 'Viksit Bharat': Gadkari

Union Budget for 2026-27 places infrastructure at the heart of India's journey towards Viksit Bharat2047, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha. "With a clear focus on connectivity, manufacturing depth, and regional balance, the Budget outlines a decisive push to build world-class, future-ready infrastructure," Gadkari said in a social media post on X. He said initiatives announced in the Budget reflect a clear vision: infrastructure not just as physical assets, but as an enabler of resilience, opportunity, and global competitiveness. The minister also said the Budget for 2026-27 outlines a decisive roadmap centred on farmers, youth, and MSMEs, strengthening the foundations of inclusive growth, innovation, and capital investment as India progresses towards.

Gadkari introduces new safety rules in sleeper buses to prevent accidents

Existing buses to be retrofitted with a fire detection system, emergency exits with hammers, and emergency lighting, Gadkari said

Govt to roll out vehicle-to-vehicle communication to reduce crashes

Standards to come out this year

Cut imports, boost exports to become 3rd-largest economy: Gadkari

India will have to reduce imports and increase exports, if it wants to become the third-largest economy in the world, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. Speaking at 'CSIR's Technology Transfer Ceremony', Gadkari highlighted how agricultural waste can be converted into a valuable national resource and help in reducing the country's crude imports. The road transport and highways minister noted that the use of bio-bitumen, a petroleum-free component, in road construction is a transformative step towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. "By utilising agro-waste, it reduces pollution caused by crop burning and strengthens the circular economy. "With 15 per cent blending, India can save nearly USD 4,500 crore in foreign exchange and substantially reduce its dependence on imported crude oil," Gadkari said. The minister said that India, which is the fourth largest economy in the world, will have to reduce its imports and increase exports to become the third-largest. "If the

Gadkari flags off 'Atal Run-2025' on Vajpayee's 101st birth anniversary

The run comprised two races for men and women, two for under-16, and the highlight, the Atal Run

'I get infections in Delhi': Gadkari says transport causes 40% of pollution

Amid hazardous air quality in Delhi, Nitin Gadkari acknowledges the transport sector's 40% contribution to pollution, saying he develops infections after short stays in the capital

Knowledge key for India to become $5 trillion economy, says Gadkari

Knowledge is the most powerful tool for India to become a USD 5 trillion economy and the third largest economy in the world, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday. Addressing an event in the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, he said the future of any country is based on the type of futuristic technology it possesses. Taking technology to the grassroots, particularly in agriculture and rural India, is critical for making India self-reliant and a global power, he said. "IITs and their students have made a great contribution towards the country's development and progress. While working in the government, if we face any challenge, we refer it to the IITs first. The credibility of IITs is so good that the solution we get is widely accepted. In a nutshell, you are the capital of knowledge," the Union minister said. "The progress of the country, resources, and technologies are important, but what is more important is the futuristic technology and knowledge. The future of any ..

Knowledge most powerful tool for India to become $5 trn economy: Gadkari

Knowledge is the most powerful tool for India to become a USD 5 trillion economy and the third largest economy in the world, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday. Speaking at an event in the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, he said the future of any country is based on the type of futuristic technology it possesses. "The IITs and its students have have a great contribution towards the country's development and progress. While working in the government, if we face any challenge, we refer it to the IITs first. The credibility of IITs is so good that the solution we get is widely accepted. In a nutshell, you are the capital of knowledge," the Union minister said. "The progress of the country, resources, technologies are important but what is more important is the futuristic technology and knowledge. The future of any country is based on what type of futuristic technology it possesses," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put forth a target in the form of a mission