Ekta Nagar, Oct 5 — Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday called for greater preparedness at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage to prevent delays and cost escalation in highway projects, as he inaugurated a two-day national conclave on highway infrastructure in Gujarat’s Narmada district.
Gadkari said proper surveys, alignment planning, land acquisition, utility shifting and statutory clearances should be addressed at the initial stage of projects to improve implementation and ensure timely delivery.
He was speaking at the inauguration of “Chintan Shivir 2026 – A National Conclave on Highway Infrastructure” at Tent City 2 in Ekta Nagar, held under the theme “Gatishakti se Pragati”.
The conclave brings together transport and PWD ministers from states, senior State PWD officials, implementing agencies and other stakeholders to discuss challenges related to highway development and infrastructure delivery.
“The Chintan Shivir provides an important platform for the Centre and States to think together, share field-level experiences and work together towards practical solutions for emerging challenges in highway development,” Gadkari said.
He stressed that successful practices adopted by individual states should be shared, assessed and replicated where appropriate to improve project implementation and infrastructure outcomes across the country.
Gadkari said highway development should focus on quality, safety, speed and world-class standards, while road safety must be incorporated into highway planning and design from the outset.
He called for accident-prone locations to be identified during the planning stage and for suitable safety measures to be incorporated during planning and construction to help reduce road accidents.
The minister also underlined the economic importance of highway connectivity, saying modern highways should provide seamless links between cities, towns, ports, markets and industrial centres.
"Better connectivity supports trade, investment, employment and wider economic activity, making coordination between the Centre, states and implementing agencies essential for timely infrastructure delivery," he said.
The two-day conclave will hold sessions on 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 reforms; and quality assurance and project monitoring.
Gadkari called for wider adoption of new technologies, innovative construction practices and cost-effective materials to improve quality and reduce construction and maintenance costs.
He also urged states and implementing agencies to share innovations and field-level solutions, while emphasising research, technology and continuous improvement in highway construction and maintenance.
Environmental sustainability and wildlife protection also feature prominently in the deliberations.
Gadkari stressed the need for environment-friendly construction practices and greater use of innovative and recycled materials, alongside appropriate environmental and wildlife protection measures.
A document on Environment & Wildlife Mitigation Measures was launched during the inaugural session.
A BRICS Compendium on Perspectives in Sustainable Transport was also launched, bringing international perspectives on sustainable approaches in the transport sector into the discussions.
The minister also highlighted technology-driven reforms in highway travel, including the FASTag Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), aimed at modernising tolling systems and improving traffic movement and the highway user experience.
Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Harsh Malhotra, also addressed the inaugural session.
The deliberations will focus on improving project planning and monitoring, highway quality and safety, sustainable infrastructure and faster project delivery.
Gadkari called on stakeholders to work collectively towards safer, high-quality and future-ready highways in line with the vision of "Viksit Bharat".