GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2995
ANSWERED ON - 18/03/2026
WORKFORCE ON NHAI PROJECTS
2995. SHRI IMRAN PRATAPGARHI:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that a majority of workers engaged in projects of the National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) reportedly belong to...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2995 ANSWERED ON - 18/03/2026 WORKFORCE ON NHAI PROJECTS
2995. SHRI IMRAN PRATAPGARHI:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that a majority of workers engaged in projects of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reportedly belong to about 49 districts across 8 States;
(b) if so, the State-wise/UT-wise and district-wise details thereof, indicating the proportion of local versus migrant labour, particularly in projects located in Maharashtra;
(c) whether workers from districts of Maharashtra are adequately represented in NHAI projects within the State;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to promote local employment, skill training and equitable regional distribution of opportunities in NHAI projects? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) & (b) Based on information collected from field offices pertaining to National Highways (NHs), it has been observed that 53 districts across 8 States contribute a major share of skilled and semi- skilled workers/labourers engaged in projects being implemented across the country. Details of States along with districts are placed at Annexure-I.
(c) & (d) While contractors/concessionaires have the right to engage workers as per their need, workers are generally engaged by contractors/concessionaires based on skill required for highway construction.
(e) The development and maintenance of National Highways, including projects implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), are undertaken in an equitable manner across the country and generate significant direct and indirect employment opportunities. Skill development and capacity building of workers are promoted through various initiatives of the Government, including programmes implemented through Government in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Further, NHAI has envisaged a structured skill development and capacity building programme aimed at upgrading the skills of construction workers engaged in highway infrastructure projects.
ANNEXURE-IANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) AND (b) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2995 ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026 ASKED BY SHRI IMRAN PRATAPGARHI REGARDING ‘WORKFORCE ON NHAI PROJECTS’ Sr No. State Districts i. Malda 1 West Bengal ii. Nadia iii. Murshidabad i. Champaran ii. Madhubani iii. Purnia iv. Saharsa v. Madhepura vi. Supaul 2 Bihar vii. Gopalhanj viii. Siwan ix. Saran x. Patna xi. Gaya xii. Jehanabad i. Gorakhpur ii. Saharanpur iii. Kanpur iv. Bareli v. Agra 3 UP vi. Azamgarh vii. Varanasi viii. Prayagraj ix. Raibareli x. Mirzapur xi. Jaunpur i. Sahibganj ii. Gumla 4 Jharkhand iii. Khunti iv. Ranchi i. Jaipur ii. Bikaner iii. Dausa iv. Bharatpur 5 Rajasthan v. Barmer vi. Jaisalmer vii. Jodhpur viii. Udaipur ix. Chittorgarh i. Bilaspur 6 Chhattisgarh ii. Raipur i. Katni ii. Rewa iii. Chhatarpur 7 MP iv. Panna v. Morena vi. Bhind i. Keonjhar ii. Sambalpur iii. Bargarh 8 Odisha iv. Cuttack v. Baleshwar vi. Bhadrak *****