The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will host a two-day Chintan Shivir (strategic deliberation) on 5 and 6 October 2026 in Gujarat to bring together federal and state officials, road authorities and project implementers to address critical issues in highway development and delivery across the country.
The conclave aims to identify operational bottlenecks, share field-level solutions and formulate policy changes that can speed up project execution, improve road safety and ensure better quality in highway construction. Senior figures including the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Ministers of State will address the inaugural session.
Key facts
- Event: Chintan Shivir 2026
- Dates: 5-6 October 2026
- Venue: Ekta Nagar, Narmada District, Gujarat
- Participants: Union Minister, two Ministers of State, Road Ministers and senior officials from all States, State Public Works Departments, implementing agencies and other stakeholders
- Five thematic sessions planned
What will be discussed
The Shivir will be structured around five focused sessions, each addressing a major dimension of highway infrastructure delivery.
PM GatiShakti and integrated infrastructure planning: This session will examine how highway projects can be coordinated and planned together with other infrastructure (railways, ports, airports, power) to create a unified national infrastructure network. The aim is to avoid duplication and ensure projects support broader economic goals.
Land Acquisition and Bhoomi Rashi: Officials will discuss solutions to land acquisition challenges that often delay highway projects. The Bhoomi Rashi portal and related processes for acquiring right-of-way will be reviewed to identify ways to expedite land handover and reduce project timelines.
Model Concession Agreements and Ratings: The session will focus on contractual terms, bidding processes and performance metrics used when handing over highway projects to private operators through public-private partnerships and concessions.
Designing Safe Highways: Road safety standards, design specifications and enforcement mechanisms will be deliberated to ensure highways are built with features that reduce accidents and protect road users.
Quality Assurance and Project Monitoring: Participants will discuss systems to strengthen quality control during construction, monitoring mechanisms to track project progress and verify that completed highways meet specified standards.
Why this matters
Highway infrastructure is critical for India’s economic growth, connectivity and safety. The Chintan Shivir is designed to bring together Centre and State governments on a common platform to solve implementation problems that affect thousands of projects nationwide. By exchanging experiences and identifying replicable best practices, the deliberations can lead to faster project delivery, better spending of public money and safer roads for citizens.
The focus on land acquisition, contractual frameworks and quality monitoring reflects persistent challenges in the highway sector. Many projects experience delays due to slow land handover, disputes with contractors, or quality issues that require rework. Structured discussion at this level aims to produce actionable solutions.
What this means for you
Citizens and road users may see practical benefits from outcomes of this Shivir. Better coordination between Centre and States could reduce highway project delays and lead to faster completion of critical routes. Improved safety design standards may reduce accidents on new highways. Stronger quality assurance could mean roads that are better built and last longer, reducing maintenance disruptions.
For state governments and road authorities, the Shivir offers a space to raise field-level concerns and learn solutions adopted elsewhere. For contractors and concessionaires, clarified contractual terms and performance ratings could provide clearer expectations.