Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra
The second edition of 'TV 9 Network: Highway Heroes' in Delhi was addressed by Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Roads, Transport and Highways and Corporate Affairs on Monday. During this, he said that I am very happy to honor our anonymous heroes (truck drivers), who keep India moving on the initiative of Shri Ram Group and TV 9 Bharatvarsha. At the same time, the minister emphasized the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the creation of a more inclusive, safe and respectable transport ecosystem in the country.
Minister Malhotra said that in the last decade, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has been a leader in India's infrastructure revolution. The ministry has constructed more than 60,000 km of highways under the guidance of PM Modi's visionary leadership and Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, which has increased national connectivity and economic integration.
More than 30 km highway is being built daily
He said that many transformational initiatives are being implemented for the welfare of our highways heroes, including skill development and refresher programs, health and welfare schemes and recently launched cashless treatment policy for road accident victims, which ensure timely medical care without any financial burden. We are also working towards developing more than 700 Veside facilities (WSA) along the National Highways by 2028-29, including fuel stations, EV charging points, toilets, drinking water, parking, restaurants and hostels, which will improve the quality and respect of our drivers.
Deelighted to address the 2nd edition of tv9 network: highway heroes in delhi and felicitate our unsung heroes (truck drivers) @Shriramgroup and @Tv9Bharatvarsh
Under the Visionary Leadership of Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/jf22ssyjmj
– Harsh Malhotra (@HDMALHOTRA) July 14, 2025
Minister Malhotra said that the speed of highway construction has increased from 12 km day to 30 km in 2014, which is a proof of well-organized procedures, digital project monitoring and increased public-private partnership. In the last 5 years, the development works of NHAI have created an estimated 45 crore man day direct employment, 57 crore man day indirect employment and 532 crore man -inspired employment have been created. The minister referred to the participation of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in removing policy, environmental and logistics obstacles to ensure that the infrastructure development is in line with the development of the developing India of 2047.
'About 14000 black spots improved in the country'
He informed that the ethanol mixture is being encouraged under the E20 target and about 800 ethanol production projects are registered all over India. At the same time, the Union Minister of State emphasized the pollution caused by highway construction and said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has implemented India Stage (CEV/Traim)-V emission norms for construction equipment and tractors.
He expressed concern over road accidents and black spots and said that the ministry has improved about 14,000 black spots across the country. Apart from this, security audit, better signage, pedestrian infrastructure and delegated technical approvals have made highway design more sensitive and inclusive.
'We developed India moving towards the vision of 2047'
He said that in the last 11 years, the journey of the ministry reflects a transformational change in the transport scenario of India. This includes the construction of world -class infrastructure to solutions to environment and security challenges. As we are moving towards the vision of developed India 2047, the ministry is committed to innovation, stability and inclusion. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is not only making roads, but it is paving the way for a safe, clean and more prosperous India, while focusing on green mobility, accident renovation and skill development.
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