News for '-ministry-of-road-transport-and-highways'

No hike in fuel prices; over 10K PNG connections added daily: Govt

No hike in fuel prices; over 10K PNG connections added daily: Govt

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The petroleum ministry on Friday reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining stable petrol and diesel prices, despite India's high dependence on imports.

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

As per the amended rules, an NOC for transfer of ownership or transfer of a vehicle from one state to another will not be granted until any unpaid user fee is cleared.

Centre Okays First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel Across Brahmaputra

Centre Okays First Underwater Road-Rail Tunnel Across Brahmaputra

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The project is aimed at enabling faster movement of security forces and military equipment during exigencies, while also improving connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and other north eastern states.

Centre Creates Plan To Avoid Tunnel Collapses

Centre Creates Plan To Avoid Tunnel Collapses

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

'The recent occurrences of tunnel collapses during construction have prompted a critical assessment of current implementation methodologies and the necessary improvements to prevent such incidents from recurring.'

SC mulls pan-India guidelines to prevent accidents on highways

SC mulls pan-India guidelines to prevent accidents on highways

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court of India is considering formulating pan-India guidelines to prevent road accidents on expressways and national highways, following a fatal accident in Rajasthan. The court is focusing on the issue of illegal 'dhabas' and encroachments along highways as potential causes of accidents.

SC orders removal of stray animals from highways, expressways

SC orders removal of stray animals from highways, expressways

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from highways and expressways, citing safety concerns and frequent accidents.

India's Aging Bridges Under Scrutiny

India's Aging Bridges Under Scrutiny

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Among India's 150,746 railway bridges, 25.8 per cent are over a century old.

Get ready to pay more for Uber, Ola during peak hours

Get ready to pay more for Uber, Ola during peak hours

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The road transport ministry has allowed cab aggregators to charge up to two times the base fare during peak hours, as against 1.5 times earlier, while for non-peak hours the fare has to be a minimum of 50 per cent of the base fare.

FASTag-based annual pass of Rs 3,000 to be launched

FASTag-based annual pass of Rs 3,000 to be launched

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the government will introduce a FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles, priced at Rs 3,000, effective from August 15, in a step towards hassle-free highway travel.

Auto industry turns on heat over ICE ban, wants ban deferred

Auto industry turns on heat over ICE ban, wants ban deferred

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

Siam argues that a 2040 ban could destabilise ongoing and future investments and threaten millions of jobs in the automotive value chain.

GoI greenlights bike taxis, over to states

GoI greenlights bike taxis, over to states

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

While mobility aggregators such as Rapido and Uber have welcomed the decision, gig workers associations and unions remain concerned.

Emission Norms Battle Hots Up: M&M Counters Maruti Suzuki

Emission Norms Battle Hots Up: M&M Counters Maruti Suzuki

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

The growing rift between MSIL and rival automakers has complicated the government's efforts to finalise the CAFE norms.

Nearly 90% of orders in Feb sales fully paid: Ola Electric

Nearly 90% of orders in Feb sales fully paid: Ola Electric

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Ola Electric on Tuesday clarified that its February sales figures reflect genuine customer orders after full payments, and not just preliminary bookings with a token amount, stating that "nearly 90 per cent" of these orders were paid in full at the time of placement. "To be clear, the sales figures for February 2025 represent genuine customer demand backed by financial commitment, not token-amount bookings.

SC says Bihar babus suspended for bridge collapse brought back

SC says Bihar babus suspended for bridge collapse brought back

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has transferred a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the safety and longevity of bridges in Bihar to the Patna High Court. The court expressed concern over the state government's handling of bridge collapses, noting that officials were suspended after incidents but reinstated after the public outcry subsided. The court also criticized the state's voluminous response to the PIL, which lacked explanations for the collapses. The Patna High Court will now monitor the state's efforts to ensure structural and safety audits of bridges in Bihar.

FMCG distributors flag deep discounts by qcom cos to govt

FMCG distributors flag deep discounts by qcom cos to govt

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) distributors' association has written to the finance ministry, highlighting concern over fund utilisation and fund accumulation by quick commerce companies and deep discounting of goods on their platforms. According to a recent letter seen by Business Standard, All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) noted that its analysis indicated that approximately 80 per cent of these funds were directed toward customer acquisition strategies instead of creating cutting-edge innovations or sustainable growth models for the retail sector.

EV sales in India up 27% in 2024 miss 2 million mark by a whisker

EV sales in India up 27% in 2024 miss 2 million mark by a whisker

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

India's electric vehicle (EV) industry hit a new milestone in 2024, with sales surging 26.5 per cent year-on-year to 1.94 million units as of December 29, according to Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Why FSSAI called up qcom companies

Why FSSAI called up qcom companies

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought a meeting with quick-commerce (qcom) platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto on Tuesday to discuss issues regarding violations of food safety standards, according to sources familiar with the matter. This comes at a time when there have been issues raised about food safety standard violations by qcom platforms for packaged food products, including violations related to expiry and best before dates.

Electric vehicle sales down 12% in November after festival-driven rush

Electric vehicle sales down 12% in November after festival-driven rush

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

In the e2W category, which accounts for more than 60 per cent of total EV sales, volumes fell 15 per cent to 118,944 units in November, compared to 139,787 units in the previous month

Toll-free highway travel up to 20 km for private vehicles with GNSS

Toll-free highway travel up to 20 km for private vehicles with GNSS

Rediff.com10 Sep 2024

Under the new regulations, known as the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024, fees will now be charged on the actual distance travelled if the distance exceeds 20 kilometres.

Tata ev's Punch, Nexon Scores 5 In Crash Test

Tata ev's Punch, Nexon Scores 5 In Crash Test

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

The Punch.ev achieved the highest score point ever recorded by any vehicle to date, scoring 31.46 out of 32 for adult occupant protection and 45 out of 49 for child occupant protection.

Sanjay Raut calls Gadkari 'future leader of country'

Sanjay Raut calls Gadkari 'future leader of country'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2023

Raut was responding to a reporter's question about opposition parties' claim that Gadkari was targeted through the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on alleged irregularities in the work done by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Govt will not make six airbags mandatory for cars: Nitin Gadkari

Govt will not make six airbags mandatory for cars: Nitin Gadkari

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

The government will not make six airbags mandatory for cars, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. The government last year proposed to implement the six airbags safety norm from October 2023 for enhanced safety of occupants. "We don't want to make six airbags rule for cars mandatory," Gadkari said at an event in New Delhi.

Why EV sales set roads on fire in July

Why EV sales set roads on fire in July

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in July touched 178,948 units, marking the highest monthly sales this financial year. This represents a 27.9 per cent increase from June, which saw 139,905 units sold, according to the Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The strong performance in July contributed to more than one million being sold in the first seven months of the calendar year.

Heavy industries' ministry scraps human safety tests for EV batteries

Heavy industries' ministry scraps human safety tests for EV batteries

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

The Centre on Wednesday scrapped the mandatory human safety tests for electric vehicle (EV) batteries required to qualify for incentives under various government schemes. The ministry of heavy industries, in its fresh guidelines, has made compliance with the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH's) prevailing EV battery testing standards the only requirement to get incentives under the Centre's various incentive schemes.

All under-construction tunnels in India to be audited

All under-construction tunnels in India to be audited

Rediff.com22 Nov 2023

The statement by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) comes in the backdrop of collapse of under-construction Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi on November 12.

'Our higher growth is coming from retail lines'

'Our higher growth is coming from retail lines'

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

'There is more expansion in the industry happening in retail lines, so we will continue to focus on those lines.'

Festival season, discounts boost Ola Electric sales

Festival season, discounts boost Ola Electric sales

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

Under regulatory scanner, Bengaluru-based Ola Electric has witnessed an uptick in its sales after facing a decline during the last few months. The company's daily average sales rose to 1,154 units in October, according to Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). With sales reaching 17,315 units between October 1 and October 15, the company has also boosted its market share to 34 per cent, up from 27 per cent in September, in the electric two-wheeler (e2W) segment.

Tunnel projects in Uttarakhand to be reviewed: CM Dhami

Tunnel projects in Uttarakhand to be reviewed: CM Dhami

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

All tunnels being constructed in Uttarakhand will be reviewed, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Thursday after drilling began at the Silkyara tunnel with a heavy duty machine to rescue 40 labourers trapped there for four days.

Highway Spending May Rise 10%

Highway Spending May Rise 10%

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

'With new projects and recently awarded projects kicking in, capital expenditure should only increase going forward.'

Why EV Sales Dropped To 14%

Why EV Sales Dropped To 14%

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

So far this year, around 839,545 electric vehicles have been sold, accounting for approximately 6.69% of the total 12,541,684 vehicles sold.

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

From highways connecting once-remote regions to aviation networks carrying millions, India's infrastructure story is one of transformation.

Rising orders, execution to help road infra companies

Rising orders, execution to help road infra companies

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

Road awards were muted in Q1FY25. But the pace will accelerate with a bidding pipeline of Rs 1.1 trillion (September 2024), mostly dominated by HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) projects, which contribute 47 per cent and engineering procurement and construction or EPC projects, which have about 36 per cent share. Hence, infrastructure companies mostly reported revenue decline on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis in Q1FY25.

In FY25, NHAI to monetise 2,741 km roads

In FY25, NHAI to monetise 2,741 km roads

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is looking to monetise 33 stretches of national highways during the current financial year (FY25) through its toll operate transfer (TOT) and infrastructure investment trust (Invit). These stretches include Lucknow-Aligarh, Kanpur-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur, and Bareilly-Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Gurugram-Kotputli-Jaipur bypass and Jaipur-Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Panikoili-Rimuli in Odisha, Chennai Bypass in Tamil Nadu, and Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga-Purnia highway in Bihar. Cumulatively, the 33 stretches, spanning 2,741 kilometres (km) earned approximately Rs 5,000 crore revenue in FY24.

It may take less than 3 days to rescue trapped tunnel workers if ...: Official

It may take less than 3 days to rescue trapped tunnel workers if ...: Official

Rediff.com21 Nov 2023

He further said that the "focus is on horizontal drilling" as rock formation has created challenges for vertical drilling.

Railways To Begin Hiring Again

Railways To Begin Hiring Again

Rediff.com17 Jun 2024

With a large number of Indian youth aspiring to work in the railways, delays in filling up railway job vacancies were a point of criticism against the BJP in the run-up to the elections.

'Driving Tests Are A Joke'

'Driving Tests Are A Joke'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

'In the case of a road accident, prevention is the only answer.' 'There's no cure to death or disability when the accident happens, and when it's due to reckless or negligent driving, it's worse because it's avoidable.'

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

EV sales zoom past 1 million in 2023

EV sales zoom past 1 million in 2023

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in India topped the 1 million mark in less than nine months in 2023, a milestone that took an entire year in 2022. According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Vahan Dashboard, 1,037,011 EVs were registered with regional transport offices till September 19, accounting for 6.4 per cent of the total automobile sales in the country this year. The sales surge can be attributed to increased individual purchases as well as business-to-business (B2B) acquisitions by EV fleet operators, industry sources said.

Renault plans 5 new cars in 3 yrs, seeks regulatory clarity

Renault plans 5 new cars in 3 yrs, seeks regulatory clarity

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

The Centre should provide a clear regulatory pathway that it will follow so that automobile companies can plan their investments and car launches accordingly, Venkatram Mamillapalle, managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO), Renault India Operations, said on Tuesday. Renault is planning to launch five cars - including a B-plus segment sport utility vehicle (SUV), a C-segment SUV and an electric vehicle (EV) - in India in the next three years, he told reporters. In early 2022, the ministry of road transport and highways had announced that cars in India would be required to have six airbags from October 1, 2022.

Govt makes helmet, safety harness must for kids below 4 yrs on bike

Govt makes helmet, safety harness must for kids below 4 yrs on bike

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

The road transport ministry on Wednesday notified new rules to make the use of safety harness and crash helmets mandatory for children below the age of four years on motorcycles.