Hyderabad, March 10: To promote road safety on National Highways and recognise commercial vehicle drivers who demonstrated exemplary driving behaviour, the “Vishisht Saarthi” Certificate at a function held in the city outskirts at Muthangi Truck Parking facility on Tuesday.
The event was graced by Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI); Vishal Chauhan, Managing Director of Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL); and Mudit Agarwal, CEO of IHMCL, virtually from New Delhi, as the event held simultaneously at five cities across India.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is a government agency responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of India’s National Highway network. Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) is a government company responsible for implementing and managing digital toll collection and intelligent transport systems on India’s National Highways.
Ajit Bhandari, Founder of the Hyderabad-based logistics platform Loadsor, said that the program was organised by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) in collaboration with logistics technology platforms TruckSuvidha and Loadsor, which actively work with driver communities across the country to promote responsible and safer driving practices.
Vishisht Saarthi is a driver welfare and recognition initiative aimed at supporting and empowering truck drivers and transport workers in India. The programme focuses on improving drivers’ skills, enhancing road safety awareness, promoting better health and welfare practices, and recognising drivers who demonstrate professionalism and responsible behaviour on highways.
The initiative trains, supports and honours professional truck drivers to improve road safety and their working conditions. Launched under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, the programme seeks to encourage safe and efficient driving practices, raise awareness about health and welfare issues affecting drivers, and recognise those who consistently follow safety standards and traffic norms.
Referring to the crucial role played by truck drivers in the country’s logistics ecosystem, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the past, at the time of its launch nationally) described drivers as “Saarthi,” meaning guide or driver, acknowledging their vital contribution in keeping India’s economy and supply chains moving.
To implement the Vishisht Saarthi programme across the country, the Ministry partnered with five digital logistics platforms, including Hyderabad-based Loadsor and New Delhi-based TruckSuvidha, along with three others. The Hyderabad event was organised in collaboration with TruckSuvidha and Loadsor, which help conduct driver training sessions, awareness programmes, and welfare initiatives.
These platforms were selected because they operate extensive digital freight networks connecting truck drivers, fleet owners and shippers across India. Through these networks, they help conduct driver training and skill-development programmes, promote road safety awareness, support driver welfare and recognition initiatives, and reach thousands of drivers across the country.
In a programme held at Muthangi ten truck drivers who consistently follow traffic rules, maintain lane discipline, and contribute towards making highways safer for all road users. They were felicitated with the “Vishisht Saarthi” recognition certificate for their commitment to safe driving and adherence to highway safety norms.
The event also featured an awareness session for drivers, highlighting important road safety practices and information about emergency assistance available to drivers on National Highways.
Through this initiative, the organisers highlighted the vital role played by truck drivers in ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country, while encouraging the wider driver community to adopt responsible and disciplined driving practices on National Highways. With millions of truck drivers in India facing challenges such as long working hours, health concerns, and limited formal training opportunities, programmes like Vishisht Saarthi seek to professionalise the trucking industry and enhance safety on highways.-
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