Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has laid out an ambitious roadmap for India’s infrastructure, asserting that the country’s road infrastructure will rival that of the US within the next five years. In an interview published in the Manorama Yearbook 2024,...

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has laid out an ambitious roadmap for India’s infrastructure, asserting that the country’s road infrastructure will rival that of the US within the next five years. In an interview published in the Manorama Yearbook 2024, Gadkari emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, time-bound decision-making, and quality-conscious approaches.

Over the past nine years, the Ministry has allocated projects exceeding Rs 50 lakh crore and streamlined the contract approval process. Gadkari expressed confidence that, in five years, India’s road infrastructure will be at par with the US, focusing on addressing metro congestion, reducing travel time, and minimizing road accidents.

“We encourage good work, and that is why we have seven world records. This is the great achievement of the ministry,” he added, underlining the Ministry’s commitment to recognizing and promoting excellence.

Gadkari stressed the importance of futuristic development in infrastructure to attract capital investment, both domestic and foreign, with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty and generating employment. He highlighted the significance of the automobile sector in India, which has recently become the third-largest in the world. The minister outlined his vision to double the size of the Indian automobile industry to Rs 15 lakh crore in the next five years, emphasizing the industry’s contribution to job creation and GST generation for both states and the central government.

To reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and lower the import bill of such fuels, Gadkari advocated for the introduction of electric and flex fuel vehicles. He supported the use of ethanol as an alternative to petrol and highlighted the opening of ethanol pumps. This move aims to empower farmers to become ‘urjadaata’ (energy producer) in addition to being ‘annadaata’ (food producer), as ethanol can be produced from sugarcane and rice stalk.

Discussing the future of public transportation, Gadkari mentioned the introduction of ropeways, cable cars, and efforts to run public transport on electricity. He predicted a transformation in public transport within five years, making it less polluting and more cost-effective. To decongest metros, projects totaling over Rs 65,000 crore have been undertaken, including the Dwarka Expressway, six-lane urban extension roads in the National Capital, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Gadkari also highlighted key infrastructure projects, such as the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass, significantly reducing travel time.

In addressing road safety, Gadkari acknowledged the challenges, including accidents leading to a three percent GDP loss. He emphasized the need to change people’s mindsets about road safety through collaboration with media, social and educational institutions, and NGOs. Overall, Gadkari’s vision encompasses comprehensive development in road infrastructure, sustainable transportation, and the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship to drive India’s economic growth in the coming years.

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