NHAI, partnering with the Vertis Foundation, launched 'Project Saksham' to empower rural communities along National Highways. The initiative focuses on skilling women in vocational trades like plumbing and nursing, ensuring inclusive growth and long-term financial independence through employment.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) encourages Women Focused Skill Development through ‘Project Saksham’.
National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) partners with the Vertis Foundation initiated ‘Project Saksham for inclusive development.Objectives: Empowers rural women through structured skill development to create pathways for sustainable livelihoods, long-term financial independence, and social empowerment.
Key Features
The project operates 12 training centres across India to grant underserved communities access to industry-relevant skills.
The program equips participants with diverse, market-aligned vocational skills, including electrical work, plumbing, appliance repair, tailoring, general duty assistant nursing, and multi-skill technician training.
Impact
The initiative trains over 6,000 youth, and places more than 4,000 participants into the formal workforce. (Source: PIB)
The project prioritizes gender-led empowerment, ensuring that over 80% of the beneficiaries are women. (Source: PIB)
Beneficiaries earn an average monthly income of Rs. 13,000 – 16,000, which helps them achieve economic self-reliance. (Source: PIB)
Strategic Significance
The initiative integrates inclusive infrastructure development with community welfare, ensuring that families residing near National Highways directly benefit from the economic momentum of infrastructure expansion.
The project bridges the gap between physical connectivity and social inclusion, building stronger, more resilient communities.
Source: PIB
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following is the primary objective of NHAI's 'Project Saksham'? A) To build smart cities along the newly constructed National Highways. B) To empower rural women along National Highways. C) To provide fast-tag subsidies to local communities residing near toll plazas. D) To train government officials in advanced infrastructure project management. Answer: B Explanation: Project Saksham, driven by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Vertis Foundation, focuses on empowering rural women and underserved youth residing along national highway corridors.. |
It is a social impact initiative launched by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Vertis Foundation to empower rural women through structured skill development and sustainable employment.
The primary beneficiaries are underserved communities, particularly rural women residing along National Highways, who make up over 80% of the program's participants.a
Participants receive training in practical, market-aligned trades such as electrical work, plumbing, appliance repair, tailoring, and general duty assistant nursing.
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