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The government is constructing 25 greenfield expressways across India, covering a total of 10,000 km, at an estimated cost of Rs. 6 lakh crore, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari said.
Speaking at the 120th Annual Session of PHDCCI, Gadkari said 75-80% of the strategic Zojila Tunnel, which will ensure all-weather connectivity between the Ladakh region and the rest of the country, has already been completed.
He added that the highways ministry could secure Rs. 15 lakh crore if it monetises its road projects.
The minister highlighted that the construction of expressways and economic corridors has helped reduce India’s logistics costs from 16% earlier to 10% currently. “By December, logistics costs are expected to drop to 9%, making India more competitive,” he said. For context, logistics costs are around 12% in the US and Europe, and 8–10% in China.
On the automobile sector, Gadkari said India aims to become the world’s number one automobile industry within five years. “When I first took charge as transport minister, the industry’s size was Rs. 14 lakh crore. Today, it stands at Rs. 22 lakh crore,” he added. The sector currently employs 4 lakh youths and contributes the highest GST revenue to both the Centre and state governments. For comparison, the US automobile industry is Rs. 78 lakh crore and China’s is Rs. 47 lakh crore.
The minister also noted India’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which costs the country Rs. 22 lakh crore annually in imports and poses environmental hazards, making the shift to clean energy vital.
Gadkari emphasized the importance of agriculture for GDP growth, pointing out that farmers earned an additional Rs. 45,000 crore by producing ethanol from corn.
He also stressed that tackling air pollution in Delhi remains a serious priority for the government.
