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Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian roads will match US standards in 2 years, says Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said on Monday that India's road infrastructure will match that of the United States within two years. He backed the claim by pointing to the government's decade-long focus on investment in the sector. "The question is not about the facelift, it has already changed. You have just watched the newsreel, the main picture is yet to start. The projects in the pipeline are progressing rapidly. In another two years, you will be able to see that Indian road infrastructure will be similar to that of America," Gadkari told ANI in an interview, when asked when Indian roads would undergo a complete transformation. He added, 'Some people from America met me and said our infrastructure is better than America.' Improved roads lower logistics costs Gadkari explained that improved highways and expressways have reduced logistics costs, thereby enhancing India's export competitiveness. "If we raise our exports, it will improve our agricultural sector, manufacturing, and services, among all other sectors," he said. He noted that India has historically faced high logistics costs—around 16 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP)—compared to 8 per cent in China and 12 per cent in the US and Europe. "Our roads were not good, our ports were not good. Traffic congestion raised costs," he said. Major projects underway Gadkari outlined several key infrastructure projects in progress, including 25 greenfield expressways, a 3,000-km highway to boost port connectivity, and ₹1 trillion worth of roads linking key religious tourism circuits. He added that the government is connecting Buddhist circuits and the Char Dham pilgrimage routes with all-weather highways. "We are developing 36 tunnels between Jammu and Srinagar; 23 have been completed, and works for another 4–5 are underway," Gadkari said. "We are developing 15 ropeways under Parvatmala Yojana, besides 35 multi-modal logistics parks." Infrastructure: The backbone of growth Public infrastructure is central to economic growth, improving connectivity, trade, and quality of life. Over the last decade, India has made significant advances in this area. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), launched in 2021, seeks to bring together various ministries—such as Railways and Roadways—for integrated planning and streamlined execution of major infrastructure projects. India currently has the second-largest road network in the world. Its National Highways (NH) span approximately 146,000 km, forming the backbone of national transport. According to a ministry statement released in February 2025, the network has grown substantially—from 65,569 km in 2004, to 91,287 km in 2014, and to 146,145 km by 2024.
Business Standard
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
PM Modi chairs first union ministers' meet after Operation Sindoor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting of the Union Council of Ministers in the capital on Wednesday, marking the first such gathering following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Indias retaliatory actions under Operation Sindoor. The session was attended by key members of the Cabinet, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers J P Nadda, Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan, and Minister of State for Jal Shakti C R Patil. While official details of the discussion remain under wraps, the media reported that a detailed presentation on Operation Sindoor was made, alongside a review of each ministrys key achievements. Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people lost their lives in an assault by Pakistan-backed terrorists. In a decisive response, Indian forces destroyed terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK, eliminating over 100 terrorists. India also hit back at Pakistani airbases following further aggression, with military action ceasing after a request from Pakistans DGMO on May 10.
Mint
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Good news! Delhi-Dehradun expressway nears completion, travel time to cut from 6.5 hours to 2.5 hours—Check details
Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Harsh Malhotra, on May 17, inspected the progress of the entire 210-km stretch of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway along with officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), who informed him that the remaining portions of the project would be finished within 2-3 months. It is expected to cut the journey time from 6.5 hours to 2.5 hours once operational. It is also called as National Highway 709B. It is being developed at nearly a cost of Rs.12000 crore and will begin at Akshardham in Delhi and connect Baghpat, Shamli, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh prior to reaching Dehradun. The project consists of a 3.4-kilometer section in Dehradun, stretching from Datkali to Asharodi, which is already running. Other key features comprise 113 underpasses, 5 railway overbridges, 76 km of service roads, 16 entry/exit points, 29 km of elevated roads and 62 bus shelters. It has the 340-meter, three-lane tunnel at Datkali in Dehradun. According to reports, the prolonged legal battle over a parcel of land in Mandola, Ghaziabad has led to delays, as a two-story house obstructs a crucial section. Authorities are currently awaiting final rulings from the Supreme Court and High Court, with hearings having been scheduled for April 2025. Additionally, a minor disruption occurred in March 2025 when a pillar of the expressway in Saharanpur collapsed, though the situation was quickly brought under control. Regional Officer of the NHAI Delhi Region, Mohammed Saifi, confirmed that construction of the elevated road up to the Uttar Pradesh border has been completed. Testing has also been finalized, with the final report anticipated within the next 15 days. The expressway is expected to open by late June or early July, reports added. Travelling from Delhi to Mussoorie is likely to be much faster and more convenient due to the construction of a new 26-kilometre elevated road that will directly connect the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to the hill station. The proposed elevated corridor will span the Rispana and Bindal rivers in Dehradun, guaranteeing smooth and uninterrupted vehicle movement. Land acquisition will take place across 26 localities in Dehradun, necessitating the demolition of more than 2,600 houses along the riverbanks. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹ 6,100 crore, which includes both construction expenses and compensation for the displaced residents. According to the New Indian Express, Vice-Chairman of the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) Banshidhar Tiwari said, 'Land acquisition will be carried out in 26 localities to build the 26 km long elevated road in Dehradun. Land will be acquired by demolishing 2,614 houses built along the banks of the Rispana and Bindal rivers."
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Committee to be formed for amendments to Cooperative Societies Act in Maharashtra, says CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday (May 12, 2025) announced the formation of a committee to look into amendments to the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960. 'The existing Cooperative Societies Act needs to evolve with times. To do so, new chapters related to each sector will be included in the law,' Mr. Fadnavis said. Union Minister of Road Transport Nitin Gadkari recommended the formulation of a new law for the cooperative sector in the State to factor evolving economic conditions and market competition. Mr. Gadkari also suggested a detailed study to examine the socio-economic impact of the cooperative movement in the State. 'The capital market is so huge. The government should give it a push. The organisation which works well — let them sell the stock in the market. If they are doing well, their share value will increase; otherwise (it will) fall,' Mr. Gadkari said, addressing a seminar organised by the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank. 'There is no alternative to it,' Mr. Gadkari said, hailing capitalism. Mr. Fadnavis gave China as an example. 'With time, ideologies dominating politics gradually became weaker. So, with time, we should adapt. Earlier, communism was the fashion, now everything [has] disappeared,' Mr. Fadnavis said, adding that China still had a 'red flag' (a reference to communism) but accepted liberal economic thinking, leaving behind Marxist ideology for the sake of the development of the country. Impact study Mr. Gadkari reflected on the image of the cooperative movement outside Maharashtra, stating that the story of the cooperative sector was 'image versus reality, ground reality versus perception'. He gave the example of the Gujarat-based inter-State Madhavpura Mercantile Cooperative Bank. 'The bank was defunct and brought the name to the cooperative sector, but only bad things are remembered. So, it is important to conduct a study of the socio-economic impact of the cooperative movement and understand the impact that credit societies, housing societies, consumer societies, and urban cooperative banks made,' Mr. Gadkari said, adding that this would enhance the contribution of cooperative societies to agriculture at the national level. '22% to 24% of GDP comes from the manufacturing sector. The services sector contributes 52% to 54% to the GDP, generating maximum GST (Goods and Services Tax). The agriculture and rural development sector is on third [position], contributing only 12% [to the GDP] despite employing 60% of the population,' Mr. Gadkari said. Almost 30% of the population migrated to cities in search of better income and education, he said. 'The cooperative sector has helped people in rural areas arrange capital for small businesses like e-rickshaws, vegetable sellers, or tea stalls, which is impossible to receive from national banks as the financial amount is meagre,' the Union Minister said. He cited the example of Kolhapur district, where per capita income is highest owing to the production of milk, and the presence of sugar factories. 'Kolhapur produces 70-80 lakh litres (of milk), which has brought prosperity to villages. On the other hand, Vidarbha lacks such milk production. The cooperative sector can uplift villages. A ₹750 crore-worth Mother Dairy plant has been established in Nagpur, Vidarbha. If we reach 50 lakh litres (output) in the next three years, farmers' suicides are likely to stop,' Mr. Gadkari said.
Hans India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Key Road and Infrastructure Decisions for Uttarakhand After CM Dhami's Meeting with Nitin Gadkari
Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi on Thursday and urged for early approval of several road and infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister mentioned the significant increase in the number of tourists during the recent Char Dham Yatra and the growing traffic pressure on the state's roads. He emphasized that increasing the traffic-bearing capacity of roads and ensuring their proper maintenance is essential for regional connectivity, tourism, and economic progress. Hence, prompt approval of various priority projects of the state government is necessary. During the meeting, the Chief Minister held detailed discussions with the Union Minister on various state projects. It was agreed to reimburse the pending amount under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) to Uttarakhand annually based on accrual. A decision was also made to construct 26 km of elevated roads along the Bindal and Rispana rivers as a loop of National Highway-07. The land acquisition and forest land transfer for this project will be undertaken by the state government. With a construction cost of Rs. 6,164 crores, the state government will exempt SGST and royalty charges, and the remaining amount will be borne by the Government of India. Similarly, for the realignment of National Highway-109 (formerly NH-87) due to the expansion of Pantnagar Airport, the central government will bear the additional cost of Rs. 183 crores if the state government exempts the SGST component. The Union Minister also approved: Construction of the Khatima Ring Road through NHAI. Widening of NH-507 from km 12 to 40 (Barwala-Katapathar-Juddo-Lakhwar Bend division). Widening of NH-534 from km 157 to 175 (Dugadda-Gumkhal division). It was also decided that the forest land transfer work for the alternative alignment along the boundary of Rajaji National Park, as part of the first segment of the Rishikesh Bypass (Nepali Farm to Dhalwala), will be completed within the next three months. Following this, a decision will be made regarding this 10.88 km long project with an estimated cost of Rs. 1,546 crores. Additionally, it was decided that the tender approval process for the Kedarnath Ropeway, to be constructed by National Highways and Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), will be carried out after consultation between the Chief Minister and the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways. Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Shri Ajay Tamta, Secretary of the Ministry Shri V. Umashankar, NHAI Member (Administration) Shri Vishal Chauhan, Uttarakhand's Principal Secretaries Shri R.K. Sudhans and Shri R. Meenakshi Sundaram, and Secretary Shri Pankaj Kumar Pandey also participated in the meeting.
