To support the educational aspirations of the children of toll plaza employees, NHAI in collaboration with Vertis Infrastructure Trust announced the launch of ‘Project Aarohan’. The program was launched by NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav in the presence of Dr. Zafar Khan, Executive Director and Joint CEO, Vertis Infrastructure Trust and senior NHAI officials at NHAI Headquarters in New Delhi. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers, bridge socio-economic divides and provide equal access to quality education for students from economically weaker sections, including girls from low-income households, first-generation learners and those from Economically Weaker Sections/Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes and minority communities.

To be implemented by SMEC Trust’s Bharat Cares, the first phase of ‘Project Aarohan’ will have a fund allocation of Rs. 1 Crore and will span from July 2025 to March 2026. The project aims to cover 500 students from Class 11 to the final year graduation, each receiving an annual scholarship of Rs.12,000 during FY 2025–26. Additionally, 50 bright students aspiring for postgraduate and higher studies will be supported with scholarships of Rs. 50,000 each. The program combines financial aid with structured mentorship, skill-building workshops, and career guidance to holistically prepare students for higher education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on the occasion, NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav said “ ‘Project Aarohan’ reflects NHAI’s commitment to the people who keep our highways running everyday and to the aspirations of their families. By investing in the education and guidance of their children we are nurturing talent that will power India’s next decade of growth.”

Sharing his perspective, Dr. Zafar Khan, Executive Director and Joint CEO, Vertis Infrastructure Trust, said, “At Vertis, building infrastructure goes hand in hand with building human potential. Through Project Aarohan, we are pleased to partner with NHAI and Bharat Cares by SMEC Trust to help shape the future of the country. By helping create mentorship pathways for students that turn promise into performance, the benefits compound across families and local economies, creating a stronger Bharat.”

The application process will be conducted through an online portal, requiring students to submit relevant documents like academic records, income proof, caste certificate, ID proof etc. A systematic selection process will ensure transparency and inclusivity for granting scholarships, along with continuous mentorship and progress tracking, with a renewal mechanism to support deserving students in the long term.

The nationwide project will reach a community of toll‑plaza personnel that are deployed at a vast network of toll plazas on National Highways. With its far-reaching impact, ‘Project Aarohan’ will go a long way in providing financial assistance, career awareness and structured mentorship to the bright students of toll plaza employees across the country.

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SR/GDH/PN/HK

(Release ID: 2160931)