Reward Good Work, Punish Failure: Gadkari Demands Accountability in Urban Roads
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari demands better planning and consequences for poor work to transform India's urban road infrastructure.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has sent a clear message to those responsible for India's city infrastructure: excellence will be rewarded, but incompetence will no longer be ignored. Speaking at the MARG 2026 (Mobility for All – Reforms and Governance for India's Urban Roads) event in New Delhi, the Minister emphasized that urban road development accountability is the only way to ensure the quality of the nation's city streets.
Quality Depends on People, Not Just Plans
Addressing a gathering of policymakers and urban practitioners, Gadkari asserted that the strength of any infrastructure is directly linked to the competence of the people planning and executing it. He stressed that while roads are engines of prosperity—whether they are massive expressways or small city lanes—their success depends on skilled engineers and meticulous project preparation.
"Good work must be recognised, and poor work must have consequences," Gadkari stated, highlighting the need for a culture of responsibility in urban construction.
From Intercity Success to Intra-city Transformation
The Minister pointed out that India has already achieved a massive transformation in how people travel between cities. Now, he believes it is time to apply those same lessons and efficiencies to the journeys people take every single day within their own cities. To achieve this, Gadkari called for integrated planning, urging road, metro, and rail agencies to work in harmony to maximize the use of limited urban land and public funds.
The Call for a National Mission on Urban Roads
The two-day event, held at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) campus, served as a platform to advocate for a dedicated national mission for urban roads. The goal is to transition toward streets that are safer, more accessible, and centered around the needs of the people.
Key points discussed during the event included:
- Institutional Strength: The need for stronger institutions and common design standards across the country.
- Procurement Reform: Shifting toward quality-focused procurement rather than just the lowest cost.
- Durability: Enhancing technical capacity to ensure roads last longer and require fewer repairs.
- Financial Sustainability: Developing funding mechanisms that cover not just the initial construction but long-term maintenance.
Bridging the Gap in Attention
Suresh Goyal, Director General of NCAER, noted a significant disparity in how India views its road networks. He observed that while national highways and rural roads have received immense attention and investment, urban roads have been largely overlooked despite their critical role in the ease of doing business, public safety, and overall quality of life.
Adding to this, Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO of Janaagraha and Executive Director of Jana Urban Space Foundation, argued that India requires a "collective national imagination" and a funding model for city roads similar to the one used for the highway network.
Models of Success
The MARG 2026 event also spotlighted existing initiatives that are showing positive results:
- Bengaluru's Tender S.U.R.E.: Cited as a successful model for urban road development.
- UP's CM GRIDS: The Chief Minister Green Road Infrastructure Development Scheme is currently transforming more than 290 kilometres of urban roads across 17 cities in Uttar Pradesh.
The proposed national mission aims to provide a framework for states and cities to adopt consistent standards and strengthen professional capacity, ensuring that the "everyday journey" for millions of Indians becomes seamless and safe.