NEW DELHI
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in collaboration with the Vertis Foundation, has launched a major social initiative called “Project Saksham.” The program aims to foster inclusive growth by empowering rural women living near national highways through structured, industry-relevant vocational training.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Project Saksham focuses on creating sustainable livelihood opportunities to ensure that infrastructure expansion directly benefits local communities. The initiative is designed to break down socio-cultural barriers, pave the way for long-term financial independence, and drive social empowerment in rural areas.
Operating through twelve dedicated training centers across the country, Project Saksham has already trained over 6,000 young individuals. More than 4,000 graduates have successfully secured jobs across various industries, earning an average monthly income ranging between 13,000 and 16,000 rupees. Remarkably, women make up more than 80 percent of the program’s participants.
To bridge the gap between infrastructure and community development, field teams work directly on the ground to encourage rural participation. Students receive hands-on training in highly employable vocational fields, including:
- Electrical work and plumbing
- Home appliance repair
- Tailoring and garment design
- General duty nursing assistance
- Multi-skill technician training
Through this project, NHAI underscores its broader mission by ensuring that national highway development serves a dual purpose, improving country-wide connectivity while simultaneously uplifting and enriching the lives of the communities it passes through.
