Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra on Thursday flagged off the Youth Safety & Smart Mobility Expedition 2026 from Transport Bhawan here.
Organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and JK Tyre, the expedition comprises a convoy of electric vehicles travelling towards Chandigarh. It aims to sensitise young people to road safety, responsible driving and smart mobility.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Mahmood Ahmed; PHDCCI CEO and Secretary General Ranjeet Mehta; POWERGRID Vice President and Group Head – ER, EHS & CSR, B.S. Dagar; and senior government and industry representatives were present on the occasion.
Addressing the participants, Malhotra congratulated them for undertaking the expedition and said road safety requires sustained efforts across multiple areas, including responsible behaviour by road users, adherence to traffic rules, road engineering, timely assistance to accident victims and proper vehicle maintenance.
He said road safety remains an important priority as road accidents and fatalities continue to be a major concern. Road users must comply with traffic rules and the legal framework, he added, noting that violations increase the risk of accidents.
Malhotra emphasised the importance of providing timely assistance to accident victims during the “golden hour”. He said the PM-RAHAT scheme seeks to ensure that accident victims receive timely hospital care during this critical period. He also highlighted the availability of technically equipped ambulances, including arrangements at toll centres, to provide emergency assistance.
The minister also stressed the need to identify and rectify accident-prone black spots and corridors. He said continuous assessments are undertaken to identify such locations and implement corrective measures, including engineering and structural interventions such as correcting curves, turns and other road deficiencies.
Emphasising individual responsibility, Malhotra urged vehicle owners and drivers to ensure that their vehicles remain in good condition and do not become a cause of accidents.
He also highlighted the Ministry’s youth-centric Sadak Suraksha Mitra initiative, which seeks to sensitise young people about road safety, promote responsible behaviour and encourage them to assist road accident victims as Raah-Veers.
Malhotra said an individual’s mistake on the road can endanger not only their own life but also that of other road users. Awareness initiatives such as the expedition, he said, can reinforce the message that road safety is a shared responsibility.
The minister also highlighted the role of smart and electric mobility in India’s transition towards alternative fuels. He said the government was promoting electric vehicles and supporting the development of alternative-fuel technologies.
Referring to advances in electric vehicles, Malhotra said their range had increased significantly, from around 150-200 km earlier to about 350-400 km on a single charge. He also cited innovations such as flash charging for electric buses and said technological advancements in the sector were continuing.
He said the government was working with industry to facilitate the adoption of the latest and global innovations in India. Strengthening domestic battery manufacturing and assembly is also important, he said, adding that the government was ready to provide the necessary support and facilities to industry.
Malhotra said the transition to alternative fuels was important for India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and would require continued efforts to address technological and other challenges.
The expedition comprises around 50-60 electric vehicles travelling along the approximately 500-km New Delhi-Chandigarh corridor. Participants are being encouraged to serve as road safety ambassadors and carry the message of responsible road behaviour and safer mobility during the journey.
The expedition will include interactions with youth and other stakeholders along the route, focusing on responsible driving, road discipline, road safety and electric mobility.
