Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated Chintan Shivir 2026 in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar, calling for stronger project planning, integrated road safety measures and wider adoption of technology to deliver high-quality, sustainable highway infrastructure.
The two-day national conclave on highway infrastructure is being held at Tent City 2 near the Statue of Unity in Narmada district under the motto “Gatishakti se Pragati”. It brings together state Transport and Public Works Department ministers, senior state PWD officials, implementing agencies and other stakeholders to discuss highway development, implementation challenges and infrastructure delivery.
Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra also addressed the inaugural session.
Gadkari said the conclave offered a platform for the Centre and states to share field-level experiences and develop practical solutions to emerging challenges. He urged participants to evaluate successful practices adopted by different states and replicate them wherever appropriate to improve project implementation across the country.
Emphasising quality, safety, speed and world-class standards, the minister called for greater preparedness at the Detailed Project Report stage. This should include proper surveys, alignment planning, land acquisition, utility shifting and timely statutory clearances, he said.
Better preparation at the outset could help minimise delays, prevent cost escalation and improve project efficiency, Gadkari added.
He stressed that road safety should be incorporated into highway planning and design from the beginning. Identifying accident-prone locations and introducing appropriate safety measures during planning and construction could help reduce road accidents.
Highlighting the role of highways in economic growth, Gadkari said modern infrastructure should provide seamless connectivity between cities, towns, ports, markets and industrial centres. Such connectivity supports trade, investment, employment and wider economic activity, he said, calling for coordinated efforts to deliver projects on time and meet growing development and mobility needs.
The conclave’s thematic sessions will cover PM GatiShakti and integrated infrastructure planning; land acquisition and Bhoomi Rashi; model concession agreements and ratings; safe and green highway design; road safety and toll reform; and quality assurance and project monitoring.
The discussions will focus on addressing implementation challenges, sharing best practices and identifying practical solutions that can be adopted across projects.
Gadkari also advocated greater use of new technologies, innovative construction methods and cost-effective materials to improve quality and reduce construction and maintenance costs. He encouraged states and implementing agencies to share innovations and field-level solutions, emphasising research and continuous improvement in highway construction and maintenance.
Environmental sustainability formed another key part of his address. The minister called for environment-friendly construction practices and wider use of innovative and recycled materials, alongside measures to protect the environment and wildlife.
A document on Environment & Wildlife Mitigation Measures was launched during the inaugural session. A BRICS Compendium on Perspectives in Sustainable Transport was also released, bringing an international perspective to discussions on sustainable transport infrastructure.
Gadkari highlighted technology-driven tolling reforms, including the FASTag Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow system, aimed at improving traffic movement, travel convenience and the highway user experience.
The two-day deliberations will seek to strengthen project planning and monitoring, improve highway quality and safety, promote sustainable infrastructure and accelerate project delivery.
Calling for collective action, Gadkari urged stakeholders to build safer, high-quality and future-ready highways that support stronger connectivity and faster economic growth in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
