In a recent statement, Nitin Gadkari, India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways, declared that the country’s national highway network would match the road network of the United States by the end of 2024. Gadkari highlighted the crucial role of highways in achieving the goal of a developed nation, pointing out ongoing infrastructure projects, including the construction of 36 express highways.
He noted that these highways would significantly reduce travel time between various cities, with a particular example of a project connecting Delhi with Chennai, cutting the distance by 320 kilometers. Gadkari emphasized the importance of robust infrastructure for capital investment, industrial development, and overall economic growth.
Additionally, he mentioned initiatives like ethanol production from bamboo in Assam, aiming to bring down logistics costs in the country to single digits. Gadkari attributed the focus on infrastructure development to Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India to become the world’s third-largest economy.