Nitin Gadkari Highlights India's Infrastructure Growth Under Modi Government
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently highlighted the significant strides made in India's infrastructure under the Modi government, aiming for the nation to become a global leader and achieve a $5 trillion economy. He discussed the reduction in logistics costs, ongoing highway projects, and the ambitious plans for enhancing connectivity across the country. With a focus on boosting exports and improving competitiveness, Gadkari's vision includes transforming road infrastructure to rival that of the United States. This article delves into the details of these developments and their implications for India's future.
Jun 9, 2025, 16:17 IST
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Infrastructure Development and Economic Aspirations
On the occasion of the Modi government's 11th anniversary, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the Prime Minister's vision for India to emerge as a global leader, aiming to become the world's third-largest economy and achieve a $5 trillion economy. To realize this vision, he stressed the need to enhance exports, which would subsequently boost growth in agriculture, services, and industrial sectors.
Gadkari pointed out that one of the major challenges faced by the country was the high logistics cost, which stood at 16%, compared to 8% in China and 12% in the United States and other European nations.
He claimed that improvements in road infrastructure have already reduced logistics costs by 6%, with a target to bring it down to 9% by next year. This reduction is expected to enhance exports, increase competitiveness, and help India achieve its goal of becoming a global leader.
Gadkari mentioned that the government is constructing 25 greenfield express highways and over 3,000 kilometers of highways for port connectivity. Additionally, significant investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore have been made in highways for religious tourism, including the development of the Buddha Circuit at a cost of ₹22,000 crore. This initiative aims to attract visitors from South Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Singapore, and Japan to the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.
The BJP leader noted that traffic to the four sacred shrines—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri—has tripled. Plans are underway to construct a ropeway to Kedarnath, a project valued at ₹12,000 crore. He highlighted that travel from Manali to Rohtang Pass will now take just 8 minutes via the Atal Tunnel, a significant reduction from the previous 3.5 hours.
Furthermore, Gadkari revealed that 36 tunnels are being built between Srinagar and Jammu, with 23 already completed and several more under construction. The distance from Delhi to Chennai has also been significantly reduced. He expressed that this development fulfills a long-held dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Gadkari elaborated on the extensive highway projects in Delhi, stating that travel times will drastically decrease: Delhi to Dehradun in 2 hours, Delhi to Amritsar in 3.5-4 hours, and Delhi to Katra in 6 hours. He anticipates that the construction of approximately 25 additional green express highways will transform India's transportation landscape.
To alleviate traffic congestion and pollution in Delhi, the government is investing ₹1.5 lakh crore in road infrastructure.
Nitin Gadkari concluded by stating that the ongoing projects are progressing so rapidly that within two years, India's road infrastructure will rival that of the United States, particularly in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He recounted a conversation with American visitors who expressed disbelief at his claims, asserting that India's road infrastructure is already superior to that of the U.S.