List of Road Transport Ministers of India
List of all Road Transport and Highways Ministers of India from 1947 to 2026, with their party, dates, and total time in office.
First Minister
John Mathai
Assumed office 15 Aug 1947
Current Incumbent
Nitin Gadkari
Serving Union Minister
Unique Ministers
21 Ministers
Post-independence 1947–2026
Longest Tenure
Nitin Gadkari (10+ Years)
Historic milestone service
| # | Minister | Party | From | To | Duration | Constituency | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
JM
John Mathai
|
Indian National Congress | 15 Aug 1947 | 22 Sep 1948 | 1 yr, 38 days | United Provinces | Constituent Assembly |
| #2 |
GA
N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar
|
Indian National Congress | 22 Sep 1948 | 13 May 1952 | 3 yrs, 234 days | Madras | Constituent Assembly |
| #3 |
LS
Lal Bahadur Shastri
|
Indian National Congress | 13 May 1952 | 7 Dec 1956 | 4 yrs, 208 days | Allahabad | Lok Sabha |
| #4 |
JR
Jagjivan Ram
|
Indian National Congress | 7 Dec 1956 | 17 Apr 1957 | 131 days | Sasaram | Lok Sabha |
| #5 |
LS
Lal Bahadur Shastri 2nd Term
|
Indian National Congress | 17 Apr 1957 | 28 Mar 1958 | 345 days | Allahabad | Lok Sabha |
| #6 |
SP
S. K. Patil
|
Indian National Congress | 29 Mar 1958 | 24 Aug 1959 | 1 yr, 148 days | Bombay South | Lok Sabha |
| #7 |
PS
P. Subbarayan
|
Indian National Congress | 2 Sep 1959 | 10 Apr 1962 | 2 yrs, 220 days | Tiruchengode | Lok Sabha |
| #8 |
JR
Jagjivan Ram 2nd Term
|
Indian National Congress | 10 Apr 1962 | 31 Aug 1963 | 1 yr, 143 days | Sasaram | Lok Sabha |
| #9 |
SS
Satya Narayan Sinha
|
Indian National Congress | 1 Sep 1963 | 13 Jun 1964 | 286 days | Samastipur | Lok Sabha |
| #10 |
BK
B. C. Khanduri NHDP Leader
|
Bharatiya Janata Party | 7 Nov 2000 | 22 May 2004 | 3 yrs, 197 days | Garhwal | Lok Sabha |
| #11 |
TB
T. R. Baalu
|
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 23 May 2004 | 22 May 2009 | 4 yrs, 364 days | Chennai South | Lok Sabha |
| #12 |
KN
Kamal Nath
|
Indian National Congress | 28 May 2009 | 19 Jan 2011 | 1 yr, 236 days | Chhindwara | Lok Sabha |
| #13 |
CJ
C. P. Joshi
|
Indian National Congress | 19 Jan 2011 | 16 Jun 2013 | 2 yrs, 148 days | Bhilwara | Lok Sabha |
| #14 |
OF
Oscar Fernandes
|
Indian National Congress | 17 Jun 2013 | 26 May 2014 | 343 days | Karnataka | Rajya Sabha |
| #15 |
NG
Nitin Gadkari Incumbent
|
Bharatiya Janata Party | 26 May 2014 | Present | Serving | Nagpur | Lok Sabha |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first Transport Minister of independent India?
John Mathai served as the first Minister of Transport and Railways of independent India from 15 August 1947 to 22 September 1948.
Who is the longest-serving Road Transport Minister in Indian history?
Nitin Gadkari is the longest-serving Minister of Road Transport and Highways, having served continuously since 26 May 2014 through three consecutive terms.
Which minister initiated the National Highways Development Project (NHDP)?
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) B. C. Khanduri served as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Road Transport and Highways under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, overseeing the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South East-West Corridor projects.