Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways Shri Harsh Malhotra today flagged off the Youth Safety & Smart Mobility Expedition 2026 from Transport Bhawan, New Delhi. Organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and JK Tyre, the expedition, involving a convoy of electric vehicles travelling towards Chandigarh, aims to sensitise youth about road safety, responsible driving behaviour and smart mobility.

On the occasion, Shri Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways; Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI; and Mr. B. S. Dagar, Vice President & Group Head – ER, EHS & CSR, POWERGRID, along with senior representatives from the Government and industry, were also present.

Addressing the participants, Shri Harsh Malhotra congratulated them for undertaking the expedition for the important cause of road safety. He emphasised that making roads safer requires continuous efforts across multiple dimensions, including responsible behaviour by road users, adherence to traffic rules, road engineering, timely assistance to accident victims and maintaining vehicles in good condition.

The Minister said that road safety is an important priority and requires collective efforts, as road accidents and fatalities continue to remain a major concern. He stressed that road users must follow the legal framework and traffic rules, as violations increase the risk of accidents.

Shri Harsh Malhotra highlighted the importance of providing timely assistance to accident victims during the golden hour. He said that under the PM-RAHAT scheme, efforts are being made to ensure that accident victims are taken to hospitals during the critical golden hour. He also highlighted the availability of technically equipped ambulances, including arrangements at toll centres, to provide necessary assistance in emergencies.

The Minister also underlined the importance of identifying and rectifying black spots corridors. He said that continuous introspection is undertaken to identify such corridors and take corrective measures. He added that engineering and structural interventions are undertaken wherever necessary, including correction of curves, turns and other road-related deficiencies, particularly at locations witnessing repeated accidents.

Emphasising the role of individual responsibility, Shri Harsh Malhotra said that people driving vehicles should ensure that their vehicles remain in good condition so that accidents do not occur due to vehicle-related issues. He said that road safety has several dimensions and awareness among young people can play an important role in addressing them. He appraised the gathering about the youth centric initiative of the Ministry - Sadak Suraksha Mitra which sensitized the youths about the road safety by transforming their behaviour on the road and also extend supporting hand to the road accident victims and become Raah-Veer.

The Minister appreciated the objective of the expedition to sensitise youth towards road safety and responsible behaviour. He observed that an individual's mistake on the road can put not only their own life but also the life of another road user at risk. He said that awareness initiatives such as the expedition can help reinforce the message that safe movement on roads is a shared responsibility.

Shri Harsh Malhotra also highlighted the importance of smart and electric mobility as part of the transition towards alternative fuels. He said that the Government is continuously promoting electric vehicles and supporting the development of alternative-fuel technologies.

Referring to the evolution of electric vehicles, the Minister said that the range of electric vehicles has increased significantly, from around 150–200 kilometres earlier to about 350–400 kilometres today on a single charge. He also referred to innovations such as flash charging in electric buses, stressing that technological advancements in the sector are continuing.

The Minister said that the Government is working with industry to facilitate the adoption of the latest and world-class innovations in India. He also highlighted the need to strengthen battery manufacturing and assembly in the country and said that the Government is ready to provide necessary facilities to industry in this regard.

Shri Harsh Malhotra said that the transition towards alternative fuels is important in the context of the country's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. He emphasised that the transition requires continuous efforts to address technological and other challenges.

The expedition comprises a convoy of around 50–60 electric vehicles travelling along the approximately 500-kilometre New Delhi–Chandigarh corridor. Participants are being encouraged to act as road safety ambassadors, carrying the message of responsible road behaviour and safer mobility during the journey.

The expedition will include interactions with youth and stakeholders along the route, focusing on responsible driving behaviour, road discipline, road safety and electric mobility.

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