Akhilesh Srivastava Elected President of IRF India: A Vision for Safer, Smarter, and Sustainable Roads

A Moment of Honor and Responsibility

It is with immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that Akhilesh Srivastava shares this milestone—on 5th April 2025, Akhilesh Srivastava was elected as the President of the International Road Federation (IRF) India Chapter. This role is not just a position; it is a sacred duty toward building a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future for India’s road infrastructure.

Roads are the arteries of a nation—they connect people, power economies, and shape progress. Yet, in India, critical challenges remain: road safety crises, environmental concerns, and the urgent need for digital transformation. Akhilesh Srivastava’s vision is clear: Indian roads must evolve from mere connectivity corridors into intelligent, life-saving, and planet-friendly infrastructure.

Why This Role Matters: IRF’s Global Legacy

The International Road Federation (IRF), headquartered in Geneva, is a global leader in road and transport development, working closely with the UN, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and governments worldwide. With members in 149 countries, IRF drives innovation, policy reforms, and sustainable mobility solutions.

As IRF India President, Akhilesh Srivastava’s mission is to bridge global best practices with India’s unique needs, ensuring roads are safe, green, and future-ready.

Three Pillars of Transformation

1. Road Safety: A National Emergency

India loses over 160,000 lives annually in road accidents—one death every 3.5 minutes. This is unacceptable. The action plan:

• Scientific Safety with 5Es (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Care, Evaluation)
• AI & Tech-Driven Enforcement (Smart CCTV, Drones, Automated Penalties)
• Strict Policy Advocacy (Stronger Laws, Better Compliance)
• Mass Awareness Campaigns (From Schools to Truck Drivers)

2. Green & Sustainable Highways

• India builds 30+ km of roads daily, but sustainability must be at the core. The focus:
• Carbon-Neutral Construction (Bio-Bitumen, Recycled Materials, Plastic Roads)
• EV-Ready Highways (Charging Stations, Solar-Powered Corridors)
•  Biodiversity Protection (Eco-Friendly Designs, Wildlife Crossings)

3. Digital Roads: The Future is Smart

The next decade belongs to AI-powered, self-monitoring roads. The roadmap:

•  AI & IoT Integration (Predictive Maintenance, Real-Time Traffic Management)
•  MLFF Tolling (No More Queues – Seamless Toll Payments)
•  V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) Tech (Connected Vehicles, Smart Signals)
•  Digital Twins of Highways (Virtual Replicas for Better Planning)

ITS India & IRF India: A Powerful Synergy

As the President of ITS India Forum, Akhilesh Srivastava has championed smart mobility, intelligent transport systems, and digital highways. Now, as IRF India President, Akhilesh Srivastava will scale these innovations globally while bringing world-class solutions to India.

A Call to Action: Let’s Build Tomorrow’s Roads, Today

This is not just one person’s journey—it’s ours. To policymakers, engineers, startups, and citizens: Let’s collaborate to redefine India’s roads.

For Industry Leaders: Invest in tech-driven, sustainable infrastructure.

For Policymakers: Craft stronger safety and green mobility policies.

For Young Innovators: Join in building the roads of the future.

Together, we can ensure that Indian roads don’t just take us places—they save lives, time, and our planet.