In a significant announcement, India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, asserted that the country’s national road network would match the scale of the American highway network by the end of 2024. Emphasizing the importance of foundational infrastructure development, Minister Gadkari stated that for India to attract capital investment and industrial growth, a robust foundational framework is imperative.
Speaking about the development strategy for India’s national highway network, Gadkari set the ambitious goal of achieving parity with the American counterpart by the end of this year. “By the conclusion of 2024, our national highway network will be equivalent to the American road network,” affirmed Gadkari.
Unveiling plans to significantly reduce the distance between Delhi and Chennai, Gadkari disclosed a proposal to minimize the travel distance over the 320-kilometer stretch between the two cities. This initiative aims to substantially cut down travel time, making journeys between Delhi and Chennai more efficient. Gadkari pointed out that people would no longer need to travel to Mumbai or Pune to traverse between these two major cities.
Highlighting specific projects, Gadkari outlined the proposed express highway connecting Surat to crucial cities such as Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kurnool, Tiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kanyakumari, Hyderabad, and Chennai. This express highway is anticipated to enhance connectivity, rationalize transportation routes, and foster regional development. “We are planning to reduce the distance between Delhi and Chennai by 320 kilometers. The proposed express highway from Surat will connect Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kurnool, Tiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kanyakumari, Hyderabad, and Chennai. There will be no need to travel to Mumbai or Pune for Chennai,” explained Gadkari.
Additionally, Gadkari unveiled the government’s target to complete the new Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway by December this year. This strategic endeavor is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two major cities in southern India. The December deadline aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing crucial transportation infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced connectivity and economic development in the southern region of the country.
