‘Mai hi kyu gaali khaun’: Nitin Gadkari orders babus to put QR codes on highways with contractor and officers' details

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has directed highway authorities and developers to put QR codes on national highway projects and share regular construction updates on YouTube. The move aims to allow commuters to check project details, contact officials, and give feedback as the government continues its highway expansion programme. The initiative follows repeated public concerns over road quality and delays, even as India has built more than 60,000 km of highways since 2014.

QR codes to display project details

Gadkari said commuters will soon be able to scan QR codes placed on highway sites to get information on contractors, project costs, deadlines and official contacts. He said officers have been told to respond to public complaints shared online.

Gadkari said he has instructed officials to install hoardings with QR codes along highways, allowing commuters to scan and view details of contractors and officials in charge, including their contact information.


He added, “Main hi kyu gaali khaun. The QR code will have information of the contractor, consultant, and government officials who cleared the road... If a road is bad and people are complaining about it on social media, take it seriously… From A to Z in road construction, we need ownership, sincerity, and a positive approach. Roads must be good, and they must stay good. Signboards should be put up clearly stating who is responsible.”

Videos for transparency and feedback

The road transport ministry has also asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and developers to operate YouTube channels and share videos of ongoing projects. This follows increased public feedback from independent social media videos.

Road transport secretary V Umashankar told agencies to upload project videos to collect feedback.

He said, “There have been instances when we get a lot of information and updates about projects and problems being faced from videos uploaded by independent YouTubers. Some comments also give insight into issues… We are working to make the uploading of videos a part of the project contract document.”

Officials said developers already capture drone videos during construction, so sharing them publicly will not require extra work.

Focus on people-centric infrastructure

Gadkari stressed that road development must focus on public convenience.

“Infrastructure must be people-centric, ensuring comfort and convenience for citizens,” he said, while noting that 670 roadside amenities have been planned.

He projected the ministry’s annual revenue to rise from ₹55,000 crore to ₹1.4 lakh crore in two years, driven by infrastructure growth. “Every rupee invested in infrastructure generates three rupees of economic growth,” he said.

Expansion and technology push

The Minister said work is underway to upgrade 25,000 km of highways to four lanes and connect major ports with highways under a ₹2 lakh crore plan. He highlighted that improved connectivity is supporting religious tourism and adventure travel.

He noted the mandatory use of precast technology in road construction to improve quality and ensure faster completion.

Environmental balance and logistics efficiency

Gadkari said the government is balancing growth with sustainability, citing the transplantation of 8,500 trees along the Dwarka Expressway. He added that better roads will help reduce logistics and fuel costs.

“80 per cent of goods traffic in India moves by road, while 1 per cent is by air and 18 per cent through other modes. With improved road infrastructure, logistics and fuel costs are expected to come down to single-digit levels,” he said.

Gadkari reaffirmed that the government aims to build safe, sustainable and modern roads that improve economic activity and quality of life across the country.

(Inputs from TOI and ANI)