News Broadcasting
“Creating economically viable, technology-enabled, corruption-free sustainable development to boost public transport”: Nitin Gadkari at News18 India Chaupal
Mumbai: Hindi news channel, News18 India hosted its flagship summit at the prestigious Taj Palace in Delhi. The latest edition of the marquee initiative, News18 India Chaupal, saw a stellar line-up of the nation’s most distinguished thought leaders and youth icons who deliberated and shared insights about India’s role as “Vishwaguru”.
Emphasising on the government’s focus on transparent, result-oriented, and qualitative work, the Hon’ble Minister of Road Transportation and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said, “The growth and development seen in India is testimony to the unwavering commitment of the government. We believe that politics is the instrument of socio economic reform and hence, the centre is developing logistics clusters worth Rs 2 lakh crore across the country. The visible change in the development of infrastructure in the country speaks for the performance of the government led by PM Modi. Our aim has been to focus on agriculture science,water conservation, waste management, plastic recycling, and renewable energy, all of which are crucial factors that will define this decade.”
He further added, “The construction of roads is a way to achieve progress, employment, and development, therefore, I have conducted work in my department worth more than Rs. 50 lakh crore. Our mission is to reduce air, water, and noise pollution in Delhi by 50 to 60 per cent in the coming years. Delhi is the pride of the nation and we will soon allocate 1000 crores towards the cleaning and expansion of the capital’s roads and logistical capacities. To reduce the import of aluminium, copper, and plastics, we have introduced a scrapping policy. We welcome Tesla to India, but they have their own conditions for entry into the market. Only through modernizing our roads and highways, can we create industrial clusters, develop logistic parks, establish smart cities and bolster our sustainable development models. Water, power, transport, and communication are needed for national wealth generation and the prerequisites for generating new avenues of employment. Our government is conviction-oriented and goal-centric. Our modus operandi has always been to create economically viable, technology-enabled, corruption-free sustainable development models that benefit the common people of India”.
Taking a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his democracy remarks made in London, UK, Nitin Gadkari said, “The fact that he is speaking outside is proof that we have not shut off his microphone. In a democratic setup, the division of votes is a crucial factor in politics. Our positive performance has resulted in an increase in votes for us”.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
