• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in collaboration with Vertis Infrastructure Trust, announced the launch of ‘Project Aarohan’ to support educational aspirations of the children of toll plaza employees on August 27.

• The initiative aims to remove financial barriers, bridge socio-economic divides and provide equal access to quality education for students from economically weaker sections, including girls from low-income households, first-generation learners and those from Economically Weaker Sections/Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes and minority communities.

• The first phase of the project will have a fund allocation of Rs 1 crore and will span from July 2025 to March 2026. 

• The project aims to cover 500 students from Class 11 to the final year graduation, each receiving an annual scholarship of Rs 12,000 during FY 2025–26.

• Additionally, 50 bright students aspiring for postgraduate and higher studies will be supported with scholarships of Rs 50,000 each. 

• The programme combines financial aid with structured mentorship, skill-building workshops, and career guidance to holistically prepare students for higher education, employment and entrepreneurship.

• The project will reach a community of toll‑plaza personnel that are deployed at a vast network of toll plazas on National Highways. 

• With its far-reaching impact, ‘Project Aarohan’ will go a long way in providing financial assistance, career awareness and structured mentorship to the bright students of toll plaza employees across the country.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)