Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has blamed faulty detailed project reports (DPRs) and flawed road designs for the increasing number of road accidents in India. Speaking at the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS), he underscored the lack of accountability in road construction and planning, calling for urgent reforms to improve road safety.

Engineering flaws behind rising accidents

Gadkari, known for his candid opinions, stated, “Most of the road accidents happen in the country due to small civil mistakes, faulty DPRs and nobody is held accountable.” He pointed out that poor-quality DPRs and defective planning have led to an alarming rise in road mishaps.

Expressing concern over India’s poor road signage and marking systems, Gadkari urged authorities to take lessons from countries such as Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, where road infrastructure is significantly better.

Call for new strategies and sustainable materials

The minister emphasized the importance of adopting newer technologies and sustainable, recyclable materials in road construction to enhance safety. He urged the road construction industry to devise better strategies for accident prevention.

Disturbing road accident statistics

India recorded a staggering 1,80,000 deaths due to road accidents in 2023, a number Gadkari deemed unacceptable. With road safety being a top priority, he reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents by 50% by 2030.

Industry voices stress on prioritizing safety

At the event, International Road Federation (IRF) president emeritus K K Kapila echoed Gadkari’s concerns, stating that safety should be integrated into every aspect of road design, construction, and management. He emphasized that initiatives like GRIS aim to move towards a future with zero road fatalities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to redefine creativity in the digital world, and the latest viral sensation is a testament to that. A mesmerizing AI-generated video featuring miniature human figures ‘making’ traditional Indian sweets has taken social media by storm, amassing over 16 million views on Instagram.

Miniature workers crafting oversized sweets

The viral reel, shared by the Instagram page @the.aiengineer, showcases tiny human-like figures engaged in the intricate process of ‘preparing’ various Indian sweets that appear much larger than them. Dressed as construction workers, the miniature figures are depicted as ‘perfecting’ stacks of jalebis, kneading soft rasgullas, glazing gulab jamuns, and shaping laddoos, kaju katlis, barfis, patisa, and other beloved treats.

One particularly creative scene features rasgullas floating in a pond of sugar syrup, with the tiny figures rowing a boat over them. In the background, more miniature workers are seen carting, collecting, and shaping ingredients such as dry fruits and nuts. Ladders, cranes, and other construction machinery are cleverly incorporated into the scenes, making the process look like a grand culinary project.

Social media reacts with admiration and humor

The video has sparked a wave of reactions in the comment section. While many users expressed awe and appreciation for the imaginative concept, others found it humorous. Some of the top comments included:

• “Wow, so beautiful.”
• “Can’t stop watching it. It’s amazing.”
• “Get me a ticket to this city.”
• “Love the imagination.”
• “No hygiene at all… people are walking on laddoos!”

Some viewers even drew comparisons to the world of ants, while others humorously pointed out concerns about hygiene in this whimsical world of sweets.

Bollywood actress Kiara Advani has reportedly stepped away from Ranveer Singh-starrer Don 3 following her pregnancy announcement with husband Sidharth Malhotra. The actress was earlier confirmed as the female lead in Farhan Akhtar’s much-anticipated film.

No official confirmation from the makers yet

As per a report, Kiara Advani has chosen to prioritize her personal life over Don 3. However, there has been no official confirmation from either the actress or the makers of the film regarding her exit. Last year, Excel Entertainment welcomed Kiara to the Don universe through a social media announcement, but no details about her role were disclosed.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s pregnancy announcement

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra shared the joyful news of their pregnancy last week with a heartwarming post on social media. The couple posted an image featuring a pair of tiny socks, captioning it, “The greatest gift of our lives. Coming soon.” Fans and industry colleagues showered the couple with congratulatory messages.

Kiara’s upcoming projects

While stepping away from Don 3, Kiara Advani is currently wrapping up War 2, where she will be seen alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. She is also working on Toxic, starring Kannada superstar Yash.

Beyond these confirmed projects, speculation is rife regarding Kiara’s involvement in Shakti Shalini and Dhoom 4, both set for a 2026 release. Whether she will continue with these projects or take a break remains to be seen, with an official announcement awaited.