Nitin Gadkari flags Indian highways, expressways still lack perfect signage

New Delhi: Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday called for better project preparation, skilled engineers, and greater accountability in urban road development.

Addressing an event organised by the economic think tank NCAER and Jana Urban Space Janaagraha, Gadkari said Indian highways and expressways do not have proper signage, which is also responsible for road accidents.

"Every road should have proper and clear signage. I had prepared a world-standard signage policy, but it was not implemented by NHAI.


"...still Indian highways and expressways do not have perfect signage, which is also responsible for road accidents," the road transport and highways minister said.

He said India records nearly 5 lakh road accidents annually, resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths.

Gadkari said he is monitoring social media posts on the poor condition of stretches of highways, and his ministry has also taken strict action against contractors who were responsible for construction and maintenance of these highway stretches.

He lamented that there are encroachments on the NHAI roads.

The minister also emphasised the need of increasing revenue of corporations, and coming up with long-term planning for implementing public-private partnerships for the development of public infrastructure.

"Urban planning has become nothing more than a money-making exercise...due to corruption, prime properties are sold at low prices," Gadkari, who is known for his frank views, said.

He also stressed the importance of integrated planning between road, metro, and rail agencies to make better use of scarce urban land and public resources.

"India has transformed the journey between cities. Together, we can now

transform everyday journeys within them," the minister said.