India's Road Ministry mandates YouTube channels for NHAI and highway builders to update the public on projects

For the very first time, the Road Transport Ministry has asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and highway developers to have their own YouTube channels and regularly upload project videos, reports The Times of India.

This initiative aims to increase transparency and accountability in India's expanding 146,000-kilometre highway network under the Bharatmala Pariyojana by inviting citizen feedback.

More details about the initiative

According to the report, Road Transport Secretary V Umashankar on Tuesday directed NHAI to post videos of highway projects on its channel to seek public feedback.

Speaking at an event of industry body CII, Umashankar said, “There have been instances when we get a lot of information and updates about projects and the problems being faced from videos uploaded by independent YouTubers. Some comments also give insight into issues...We are working on to make the uploading of videos as a part of project contract document.”

Ministry officials shared that highway builders are required to submit videos shot using drones during the construction stage to highway agencies, and hence, uploading them for public viewing would not be an issue. 

The objective of the initiative is to increase public participation and accountability of authorities.

Addressing a session at the event, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said he has issued instructions for installing hoardings with QR code for commuters to scan and view the details of contractors and officials concerned, including their name, address and mobile numbers.

“If people are paying toll, they deserve international-quality roads. Weather or poor bitumen cannot be excuses. If the surface is not comfortable, fix it — cost may increase but comfort is non-negotiable,” he added.

Gadkari also said he has told officers that “if a road is bad and people are complaining about it on social media, take it seriously...From A to Z in road construction, we need ownership, sincerity, and a positive approach. Roads must be good, and they must stay good. Signboards should be put up clearly stating who is responsible”.

The Minister remarked that institutionalising performance audits will help identify design and maintenance gaps while promoting accountability and rewarding quality work.

“When audits are regular, transparency increases, and excuses decrease. That’s how we should work,” he added.

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