Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed on Saturday that the Central Government is embarking on an ambitious project. An expressway connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari will be established as an access-controlled route. It will contribute to enhanced connectivity and efficient travel across the country. Additionally, as of November 30, 2022, the total length of National Highways in India has grown significantly to 1,44,634 km from its previous extent of 92,000 km.
Nitin Gadkari Unveils Ambitious Plans
Gadkari had earlier shared that this new expressway will significantly reduce the travel distance between Delhi and Chennai by a remarkable 1,312 kilometres. It certainly showcases the government’s dedication to fostering smoother and shorter travel routes. Moreover, Gadkari expressed optimism that India’s road infrastructure is on the verge of achieving a transformation akin to that of the United States by the close of the coming year.
At the second edition of Business Today‘s BT India@100 Summit, Gadkari emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi prioritises water, power, transportation, and communication as sectors for development. He shared that the creation of solid infrastructure has been a focal point. Also, he revealed the plans to introduce the built, operate, and transfer (BOT) model to the realm of freight trucks. This strategic step aims to significantly curtail logistics costs in India, which presently ranks among the highest in the world.
Also Read: English Professor Running A Momo Stall In Lucknow Is Impressing The Internet With His English
A New Expressway Will Connect Kashmir And Kanyakumari
During the summit, Gadkari shared that while currently, our logistics cost is 14-16 per cent, in China, it is 9-10 per cent, and 12 per cent in most European countries. He also shared that he is confident about bringing the numbers down to single digits (around 9 per cent) by the end of 2024. The minister also discussed road safety, underscoring the importance of international-standard preventive measures, including signage and road markings.
Touching on the subject of India’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs), Gadkari expressed his strong commitment to the cause. If given the authority, he would aim to phase out fossil fuel vehicles within five years. He even referred to hydrogen as the future fuel and announced the upcoming launch of Toyota’s Flex engine Innova. This car will reportedly run exclusively on ethanol, in Delhi by 2029. This also aligns with the Indian government’s objective of achieving 30 per cent of EV sales by 2030.
The country is certainly moving towards a future of enhanced connectivity and sustainable transportation options.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva and Wikimedia Commons