What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI : India is set to embark on an ambitious journey to rival the road infrastructure of the US within the next five years, according to Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways. The minister, determined to enhance road safety and efficiency, outlined the nation’s goals in a recent interview published in the Manorama Yearbook 2024.
Over the past nine years, Gadkari’s ministry has awarded projects exceeding Rs 50 lakh crore, streamlining contract sanctioning procedures and fostering transparency. In the interview, he emphasised a collaborative approach, considering the ministry, contractors, and bankers as one family, resulting in seven world records.
“No contractor needs to come to me for sanctioning the contract. We are transparent, time- bound, result-oriented and quality conscious and fast in decision-making. We consider the ministry, contractors and bankers as one family. We encourage good work, and that is why we have seven world records. This is the great achievement of the ministry,” he said in an interview published in the Manorama Yearbook 2024. “I am confident that after five years, our road infrastructure will be equal to the US.”
The minister, aspiring to position India as a leader in the automobile sector, highlighted the industry’s recent leap to become the world’s third-largest, surpassing Japan. With a current worth of Rs 7.5 lakh crore, he envisions doubling the industry’s size to Rs 15 lakh crore in the next five years, fostering economic growth and job creation.
Gadkari advocated for the adoption of electric and flex-fuel vehicles to reduce fossil fuel consumption, which incurs a hefty Rs 16 lakh crore import bill. Propelling the transition, he mentioned the introduction of ethanol-powered vehicles and the establishment of ethanol pumps, aiming to empower farmers as energy producers.
Addressing public transportation, Gadkari outlined plans for ropeways, cable cars, and increased use of electric buses in cities, envisioning a less polluting and cost-effective future within five years. To decongest metros, projects exceeding Rs 65,000 crore are underway, including the Dwarka Expressway and Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
The minister highlighted transformative infrastructure projects, such as the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass and the Katra-Delhi Expressway, aimed at drastically reducing travel times. Initiatives in Ladakh, including the construction of Asia’s largest tunnel at Zojila Pass, further exemplify India’s commitment to strategic infrastructure development.
Acknowledging the persistent challenge of road accidents, Gadkari emphasised the need for a mindset shift regarding road safety. Despite efforts, his target to reduce accidents by 50 per cent has not yielded desired results. Collaborative efforts involving media, social institutions, educational institutions, NGOs, and celebrity endorsements are underway to address this issue.
