On December 18th 2025, ADV Priya Saroj raised Unstarred Question No. 3014 in the Lok Sabha, inquiring about employment generated through road projects, the percentage of local, SC/ST, and women workers employed, enforcement of labor laws, and recorded complaints or violations. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, responded that the Ministry is primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). A study by IIT Kanpur indicated that one lane-km of NHs construction generates 4,800 man-days of direct and 6,000 man-days of indirect employment. All relevant labor laws and wage standards are enforced through contract/concession agreements. Five complaints/violations were reported by implementing agencies.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: Primary government entity responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways.
National Highways (NHs): Roads for which the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is primarily responsible.
Labour laws and wage standards: Laws and standards concerning employment and compensation that are enforced on all NHs works.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur: Institution that carried out a study on employment generated from NHs construction.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 3014
ANSWERED ON 18th DECEMBER 2025
LABOUR EMPLOYMENT IN ROAD WORKS
3014. ADV PRIYA SAROJ:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) the data on employment generated through road projects, district-
wise;
(b) the percentage of local labour, SC/ST and women workers employed;
(c) whether labour laws and wage standards are enforced at project
sites and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the complaints or violations recorded thereof ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (d) The Government in Ministry Road Transport & Highways is
primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National
Highways (NHs). Further, as per the study carried out through Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, 4,800 man-days as direct
employment and 6,000 man-days as indirect employment are generated
from one lane-km of NHs construction.
All relevant labour laws and wage standards are enforced upon all
NHs works through respective contract / concession agreements.
5 complaints / violations have been reported by the implementing
agencies.
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