Nitin Gadkari Unveils ₹10 Trillion Plan to Expand 25,000 km of Highways

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday that the government plans to upgrade 25,000 km of two-lane highways to four lanes, with an estimated investment of ₹10 trillion.

He emphasized that this initiative would be instrumental in reducing road accidents nationwide.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (Photo: PTI)

Additionally, the Minister stated that ₹6 trillion has been allocated to expand 16,000 km of National Highways into six-lane roads. “We are planning to convert 25,000 km of two-lane highways into four-lane highways at a cost of ₹10 trillion. The DPRs (detailed project reports) of the projects are getting ready, and we are hopeful to complete the work in two years,” he stated this during the Question Hour.

India’s Road Safety Crisis

Gadkari said, “India records 480,000 road accidents annually,” leading to an average of 188,000 fatalities, predominantly among individuals aged 18 to 45. The economic toll of these accidents is substantial, causing the country to lose 3 percent of its GDP annually. The government’s goal is to halve road accidents by 2030.

Key Regional Highway Development

He stated that road construction projects worth ₹2 trillion are currently underway in Jammu & Kashmir, with 105 tunnels being built to enhance connectivity. A key highlight among these projects is the Zojila tunnel, set to become Asia’s longest tunnel in a sub-zero temperature zone. Initially estimated to cost over ₹12,000 crore, it is now expected to be completed at around ₹5,500 crore.

Jammu-Srinagar Highway & Delhi-Katra Expressway: Key Routes Connecting the North

The minister also provided updates on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, where 36 tunnels are planned, with construction already completed on 22. Once fully completed, the highway will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar from the current seven hours to just three to three and a half hours.

Additionally, progress continues on the Delhi-Katra Expressway, which will cut the travel time between the two destinations from 12 hours to nearly half.

Indian Highways Set to Exceed US Standards Within Two Years

On Tuesday, Gadkari stated that India's highway network will exceed that of the United States within the next two years.

“I don't think there is any problem in the road sector. The changes this year and next year will be so significant that earlier I used to say our highway road network would match that of the US, but now I say that within two years, our highway network will be even better than the US,” he said.

Conclusion

The Indian government plans to upgrade 25,000 km of highways and expand 16,000 km of National Highways to enhance connectivity and road safety. With investments exceeding ₹16 trillion, these projects aim to reduce accidents and boost infrastructure. Key developments in Jammu & Kashmir, the Zojila tunnel, and major expressways will cut travel time significantly. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that India's highway network will surpass U.S. standards within two years.

(This Article was originally published by Business Standard)