NHAI Empowering Women: Project Saksham

Execution, Stakeholders, and Impact

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in collaboration with the Vertis Foundation, has launched Project Saksham — a strategic initiative focused on empowering rural women through skill development.

Operating 12 training centers nationwide, the project has already trained over 6,000 youth, with 4,000 successfully placed in various sectors, achieving an 80% female participation rate.

Key Stakeholders

• NHAI & Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: Driving the initiative, focusing on inclusive growth.

• Vertis Foundation: Implementation partner providing resources and expertise.

• Training Centers: Direct execution, offering vocational courses such as electrical work, plumbing, tailoring, and nursing.

Commercial and Developmental Signal

Project Saksham highlights a significant shift towards integrating social empowerment with infrastructure development.

By providing vocational training, NHAI not only ensures the economic upliftment of rural women but also supports sustainable infrastructure expansion through local community involvement.

Challenges and Opportunities

The primary challenges include overcoming socio-cultural barriers and ensuring consistent participation.

The success of these programs could serve as a model for other infrastructure projects nationwide, creating a scalable framework that combines economic growth with social development.

By focusing on skill development and job placement, Project Saksham is poised to transform community participation in infrastructure projects, enhancing connectivity and fostering economic independence for rural women.