Lok Sabha Question No. 4386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Workforce on NHAI Projects
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4386 ANSWERED ON 19 TH  MARCH, 2026

## WORKFORCE ON NHAI PROJECTS

4386. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  majority of workers  engaged  in  projects  of National Highways  Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  reportedly  come  from  about  forty  nine districts across eight States in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State/UT-wise  and  district-wise  indicating  the proportion of local versus migrant labour;
- (c)  whether  all  districts  of  Punjab,  including  Hoshiarpur  are  adequately represented in employment generated through projects of NHAI;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to encourage hiring of local workers, provide skill training and ensure equitable regional distribution of employment opportunities in projects of NHAI in the country?

## 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.

(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. undertaken  in an equitable manner  across  the  country and

- (e)  The  development  and  maintenance  of  National  Highways,  including projects implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), are 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 by the Government in 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  primarily  aimed  at  improvement  in  the  quality  of construction.

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4386 ANSWERED ON 19 th  MARCH, 2026 ASKED BY  DR.  RAJ  KUMAR  CHABBEWAL  REGARDING  WORKFORCE  ON  NHAI PROJECTS.

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|   S. No. | State       | Districts                                         | Districts                                                                                                  |
|----------|-------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | West Bengal | i. ii. iii.                                       | Malda Nadia Murshidabad                                                                                    |
|        2 | Bihar       | i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x. xi. xii. | Champaran Madhubani Purnia Saharsa Madhepura Supaul Gopalganj Siwan Saran Patna Gaya Jehanabad             |
|        3 | UP          | i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x. xi.      | Gorakhpur Saharanpur Kanpur Bareilly Agra Azamgarh Varanasi Prayagraj Raibareli Mirzapur Jaunpur Sahibganj |
|        4 | Jharkhand   | i. ii. iii. iv.                                   | Gumla Khunti Ranchi                                                                                        |
|        5 | Rajasthan   | i. ii. iii. iv.                                   | Jaipur Bikaner Dausa Bharatpur                                                                             |

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|    |              | v. vi. vii. viii. ix.   | Barmer Jaisalmer Jodhpur Udaipur Chittorgarh         |
|----|--------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
|  6 | Chhattisgarh | i. ii.                  | Bilaspur Raipur                                      |
|  7 | MP           | i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.  | Katni Rewa Chhatarpur Panna Morena Bhind             |
|  8 | Odisha       | i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.  | Keonjhar Sambalpur Bargarh Cuttack Baleshwar Bhadrak |

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