The Indian government is gearing up for a monumental investment of ₹10 trillion over the next two years to revamp the country’s highways, with a particular focus on enhancing infrastructure in the Northeast region to rival that of the United States. This ambitious initiative was revealed by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in an exclusive interview with PTI.
Transforming Infrastructure on a Grand Scale
During the interview, Minister Gadkari emphasized the government’s commitment to drastically transforming the nation’s infrastructure to align with global standards. He outlined plans to undertake projects totaling ₹10 trillion within the next two years, with a special emphasis on bolstering highways nationwide and significantly improving infrastructure in the Northeast and border areas. Gadkari expressed his vision for Northeastern roads to soon be on par with the quality of U.S. highways, marking a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development.
Acknowledging the challenging terrain and strategic significance of the Northeast region, Gadkari underscored the urgency of upgrading road infrastructure to bolster connectivity and facilitate smoother transportation networks. He reiterated the government’s unwavering dedication to elevating India’s infrastructure to world-class levels, citing ongoing projects in various states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
Gadkari disclosed that a total of 784 highway projects are set to be implemented in the eastern states, spanning over 21,355 km and involving an estimated investment of ₹3,73,484 crore. These projects, overseen by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), are poised to revolutionize the region’s transportation landscape and bolster economic growth.
Pioneering Innovations in Transportation
In a bid to introduce sustainable and efficient transport solutions, Gadkari highlighted a groundbreaking mass rapid transport pilot project currently underway in Nagpur, with an allocated budget of ₹170 crore. The initiative features a 135-seater bus powered by non-polluting energy sources, promising cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. If successful, this pioneering project is poised for replication on key routes across the country, including the prominent Delhi-Jaipur stretch, under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
Moreover, Gadkari underscored the significant expansion of the National Highway network, which has grown substantially from 91,287 km in March 2014 to 1,46,204 km presently, reflecting a marked improvement in quality standards. Notably, the proportion of national highways with less than two lanes has plummeted from 30% to a mere 9% of the total network, indicating a significant enhancement in infrastructure capacity and efficiency.
In the fiscal year 2024–25, the NHAI achieved a remarkable feat by constructing 5,614 km of national highways, surpassing its target of 5,150 km, underscoring the government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development across the country.
As the Indian government embarks on this transformative journey to upgrade the nation’s highways and revolutionize transportation networks, the vision of Minister Nitin Gadkari reflects a steadfast commitment to enhancing connectivity, fostering economic growth, and positioning India as a global leader in infrastructure development. This monumental investment heralds a new era of progress and prosperity, underscoring the government’s unwavering dedication to building a robust and resilient transportation infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of a dynamic nation.
