On Road To Nation Building

One of the key highlights of the Union Budget 2022 has been the government’s focus on infrastructure development. The road sector will play a vital role with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) leading the charge. Alka Upadhyaya, as Chairperson, NHAI, with her vast experience in the road construction sector, is at the helm of affairs and is committed to the sector’s important contribution to the nation’s infrastructure development.

Upadhyaya joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1990 and has served at various positions in the government of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Government of India. However, for the past ten years, she has been working in the road sector. Her first experience in the sector was as the CEO of MP Rural Development, followed by Director General, Rural Road Development Authority. Before being appointed as Chairperson, NHAI, she was Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development.

Empowering Women

As the MD of National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Upadhyaya worked extensively towards creating rural enterprises for women and setting up large producer-collectives registered companies. She also set up an independent Section-8 Company ‘Foundation for Development of Rural Value Chain’ to establish an end-to-end value chain for the development and marketing of products of rural women, farmers and artisans.

Important Projects Commissioned At NHAI

Upadhyaya believes that the economic growth of a nation is closely linked with the growth of the road infrastructure there. As part of the ongoing Bharatmala Pariyojana, 22 Greenfield expressways and access-controlled corridors are being developed.

“With the advent of PM Gati Shakti, Government of India has shared its vision of holistic infrastructure development and enabling easier interconnectivity between road, rail, air, and waterways. We have aligned to this vision and have reimagined the development of the National Highway infrastructure. We are focusing on developing allied highway initiatives like Multi-Modal Logistics Parks and intermodal stations along with the development of National Highways,” says Upadhyaya.

‘Parvatmala’ -- the National Ropeway Development Project has also been recently announced to enhance tourism and last-mile connectivity. NHAI, under her leadership, is also focusing more on ‘Wayside Amenities’ to make highway travel more convenient for commuters. 

Upadhyaya describes singling out any one person as her role model in public service as a difficult task. “During my career, I have been influenced by many prominent personalities and my seniors who have enriched my growth as a public servant.”