Nitin Gadkari on Indian Roads : "Within Two Years, Indian Roads Will Be Like America"
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has made a bold statement asserting that India’s road infrastructure will surpass that of the United States within the next two years. Speaking in an interview with NIA, Gadkari highlighted the significant progress India has made in the roads and highways sector over the past decade under his leadership.
“It’s not just about a facelift — the transformation has already begun,” Gadkari said. “What you’ve seen is only the trailer; the main film is yet to come. Projects worth thousands of crores are already in the pipeline and progressing rapidly. In the next two years, Indian roads will be at par with American highways.”
Massive Investments Driving Change
Gadkari emphasized that the government has significantly increased expenditure on road and highway development, focusing on connectivity, safety, and quality. The efforts include building expressways, greenfield corridors, and expanding national highway networks across the country.
He also revealed that several American delegates recently acknowledged India's progress, stating that the quality of Indian road infrastructure was already comparable to, or even better than, certain parts of the United States.
Logistics Costs and Economic Competitiveness
The minister underscored the importance of reducing logistics costs to make India more competitive in global trade. He pointed out that India's current logistics cost stands at 16% of GDP, compared to 8% in China and 12% in the US and European nations.
“Lower logistics costs will boost exports, and in turn, benefit all sectors — agriculture, manufacturing, and services,” Gadkari explained. “We are working relentlessly to bring this cost down through better infrastructure.”
He reiterated that modern and efficient roadways not only reduce travel time but also cut fuel consumption, improve safety, and enhance the ease of doing business.
Looking Ahead
With ambitious targets and large-scale infrastructure projects underway, Gadkari remains confident that India is on track to become a global benchmark in road development.
The minister’s vision aligns with the government’s larger focus on infrastructure-led economic growth, as India prepares to position itself among the world’s leading economies.