The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in partnership with the Vertis Foundation, has intensified efforts towards women-focused skill development through ‘Project Saksham’. The initiative aims to empower rural women and economically weaker communities living along National Highway corridors by providing vocational training and employment opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The programme seeks to:
Promote women-led economic empowerment
Enhance financial independence in rural communities
Improve employability through industry-oriented vocational training
Ensure inclusive growth alongside infrastructure development.
NHAI stated that communities residing along National Highways should directly benefit from the economic opportunities created through infrastructure expansion.
Vocational Training Provided
Under Project Saksham, beneficiaries receive practical training in: Electrical work, Plumbing, Appliance repair, Tailoring, General duty assistant nursing,
Multi-skill technician courses.
The programme also focuses on overcoming socio-cultural barriers by engaging directly with rural families and encouraging women’s participation in the workforce.
Significance of the Initiative:
The initiative reflects a shift towards:
Inclusive infrastructure development
Women-led rural transformation
Skill-based employment generation
Social empowerment through public infrastructure projects.
It aligns with the government’s broader emphasis on:
Skill India Mission
Women empowerment
Rural livelihood enhancement
Sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):
NHAI functions under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
It was established under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988.
NHAI became operational in 1995.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Chairman: Santosh Kumar Yadav (as of 2026).
Skill India Mission:
Launched in 2015 by the Government of India.
Implemented through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Objective: To provide market-relevant skill training and improve employability among youth.
Women Empowerment and Rural Development:
Important government schemes related to women empowerment include:
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission)
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Stand-Up India Scheme.
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