Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has made a bold assertion regarding the future of India's road infrastructure, stating that it will be on par with that of the United States within the next two years. Gadkari's statement, made in an interview with ANI on Monday, June 9, 2025, underscores the significant strides India has made in recent years in developing its road and highway network. He attributed this progress to the Modi government's increased investment in the sector over the past decade.
Gadkari emphasized that the transformation of Indian roads is already underway. He stated that numerous projects are currently in progress and are advancing rapidly. These projects include the construction of 25 greenfield expressways and a 3,000 km port connectivity highway. Additionally, substantial investments are being made in roads connecting religious tourism destinations, with projects worth ₹1 lakh crore in the works. Gadkari also highlighted developments in tunnels and ropeways, including the Parvatmala Yojana, which is developing 15 ropeways, and the construction of 36 tunnels between Jammu and Srinagar, of which 23 have already been completed.
According to Gadkari, India's improved road network has already led to a reduction in logistics costs, thereby enhancing the country's export competitiveness. He noted that India's logistics costs were previously at 16% of GDP, significantly higher than China's 8% and the US and European nations' 12%. Through enhanced road infrastructure, the government has successfully reduced these costs to 9%. Gadkari believes that this reduction will make Indian exports more competitive on the global stage.
Gadkari mentioned that some visitors from America have told him that India's infrastructure is better than America's.
The Minister also spoke about projects aimed at improving connectivity to important religious sites, such as connecting Buddhist circuits and ensuring all-weather access to the Char Dhams.
Data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in early February 2025 indicates the rapid expansion of India's National Highway network. In 2004, the network spanned 65,569 km, increasing to 91,287 km in 2014 and reaching 146,145 km in 2024. The number of national highway stretches with four or more lanes has also grown significantly, increasing 2.6 times from 18,371 km in 2014 to 48,422 km in 2024. Furthermore, the pace of national highway construction has risen 2.8 times, from 12.1 km/day in 2014-15 to 33.8 km/day in 2023-24.
Gadkari's ambitious vision aligns with the government's focus on infrastructure-led economic growth. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), launched in 2021, aims to integrate the planning and execution of infrastructure projects across various ministries, including Railways and Roadways. India currently has the second-largest road network in the world, with National Highways spanning approximately 146,000 km, serving as vital transport arteries.
