India's Roads Minister Stuck in Mumbai Traffic, Calls for Modern Infrastructure

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was caught in Mumbai's notorious traffic congestion on Wednesday, arriving behind schedule at the Indo-American Corporate Excellence Awards 2026 ceremony.

The delay underscored the persistent transportation challenges facing India's financial capital and other major metropolitan areas. Gadkari used the occasion to highlight the urgent need for modernizing existing infrastructure, pointing to aging flyovers as a significant contributor to the city's traffic woes.

The minister advocated for replacing conventional single-level flyover systems with modern multi-level interchange technology. Such upgrades, he suggested, could substantially improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in congested urban corridors across major Indian cities.

Gadkari's comments reflect ongoing concerns among policymakers about Mumbai's transportation infrastructure, which handles over 30 million daily commuters. The minister has previously emphasized the need for comprehensive road modernization programs to support India's rapid urbanization.