Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra flagged off the PHDCCI Youth Safety & Smart Mobility Expedition 2026 from Transport Bhawan, New Delhi, on Thursday, marking the start of a 500-km journey to Chandigarh.
Organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the two-day expedition will run from September 24 to 25 and feature a convoy of around 50–60 electric vehicles.
The initiative aims to promote safer roads through responsible driving behaviour while highlighting the growing role of electric and smart mobility.
Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Dr Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General, PHDCCI; Dr Jatinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General, PHDCCI; and BS Dagar, Group Vice President and Head, ER & CSR, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., attended the flag-off.
Harsh Malhotra said road safety remains a key priority for the Ministry and congratulated PHDCCI for promoting greater awareness about responsible driving. He said the Ministry had identified and rectified 14,000 accident-prone blind spots during the previous year and was prepared to undertake structural changes wherever necessary to improve road safety.
The Minister highlighted the role of technology and corporate initiatives in improving vehicle safety.
The expedition will travel along the New Delhi–Chandigarh corridor, with engagements at educational institutions, transport hubs and communities.
Discussions will, however, focus on responsible driving, road discipline, safe mobility, technology-led road safety and EV adoption.
PHDCCI CEO and Secretary General Ranjeet Mehta said the transition to electric and smart mobility presents an opportunity to build road safety into the mobility ecosystem.
The expedition will facilitate dialogue between government, industry and young people on building a safer and more responsible mobility ecosystem.
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