Minister urges innovation-led road planning for India’s growth

New Delhi

Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta on Friday stressed the need for innovation-driven, safety-focused, and context-sensitive road planning to help make India a developed nation.

At a meeting in New Delhi with experts from IIT Delhi, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Delhi, and industry leaders, Tamta called for shifting from reactive construction to proactive planning. He said roads should not be treated as mere engineering projects but as powerful tools for overall development.

Under Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, Tamta said infrastructure will be key to growth, linking industries, cities, digital services, and people’s welfare. He urged creating roads that suit India’s unique climate, geography, and dense population, rather than copying Western designs.

The minister reviewed new ideas such as multi-directional traffic models, safer road hotspots, and affordable public transport systems using PiFi (Private Internet Fidelity) technology that doesn’t rely on apps or internet links.

Tamta stressed the importance of homegrown designs to solve challenges like land acquisition, traffic jams, poor last-mile connectivity, and rising costs. He also called for a transparent planning process where physical designs are invited and evaluated before final project reports.

He praised IIT Delhi and SPA Delhi for leading innovation and urged other institutions to support smart infrastructure development.

"Roads must act as engines of industrial growth and people’s well-being," Tamta said. He emphasized making innovation a core part of future strategies and highlighted Centres of Excellence as key drivers in turning ideas into real projects.