Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stressed the role of infrastructure in promoting economic development and reducing poverty during the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2024. Gadkari believes that large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly roads and highways, are very important and desirable in attracting investments and generating job opportunities.
“In the next 2 years, we aim to reduce logistics costs to a single digit from 14-16%, targeting 9%. PM Narendra Modi’s vision is for India to become Atma Nirbhar, achieve a $5 trillion economy, and emerge as the world’s third-largest economy. We are working tirelessly to make this vision a reality,” Gadkari said.
He laid out ambitious plans to align the national highway system with that of the United States by the end of 2024. The idea is to expand the highway network, improve direct connectivity among significant cities, minimize travel times, and boost economic activities.
The minister also cited significant ongoing projects such as the Delhi-Chennai express highway, projected to decrease travel distance by 320 km, and the Chennai-Bengaluru Greenfield Express Highway, which is expected to be completed in December 2024.
These projects will be part of the government’s plan to improve logistics, transport efficiencies, and regional development.
“Water, power, transport, and communication—when these four things develop in a country, capital investment flows into it. And because of capital investment, there is growth in industry, trade, and business. And when industry, trade, and business grow, it impacts society. First, per capita income increases; second, poverty is reduced, employment rises, and the country becomes prosperous and well-off,” he said.
Minister Gadkari stated that developing suitable infrastructure includes poverty alleviation. This creates various multiplier effects by opening additional markets, supporting enhanced mobility, and generating myriad employment opportunities in the construction and allied sectors.
He further stated that efficient infrastructure could ultimately lead to a substantive reduction in logistics costs, which would benefit smaller businesses and manufacturers.
The government’s focus is on expanding expressways, industrial corridors, and sustainable modes of transport. This will improve connectivity between economic hubs and attract investments, assisting in preparation for the government’s coveted aim of becoming a $5 trillion economy. The minister assured that a green technology approach would guide the projects in the future.
Gadkari’s remarks at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit underlined the government’s strong emphasis on developing a sound infrastructure to drive economic growth and poverty alleviation.
With ambitious projects like national highway expansion and expressway development aimed at improving connectivity, the government targets more significant investments, enhanced industrial growth, and substantial jobs.
Gadkari highlighted that investments in efficient infrastructure help the economy and act as a leap toward sustainable development and a step closer to realizing India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy.
