Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s road network has surpassed that of the United States, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Munshi Pulia and Khurram Nagar flyovers, Gadkari assured that within two years, Uttar Pradesh’s national highway network would be better than that of the US.
Announcing approvals for highway projects worth crores in Uttar Pradesh, he emphasized that while there is no shortage of funds, the country needs leaders with honesty and integrity to drive development.
“PM Modi envisions India as a ‘Vishwa Guru’ and the world’s third-largest economy. Achieving this requires a major infrastructure push to attract investment and generate employment,” he said, adding that the government is committed to reducing logistics costs to 9%, which would boost Indian exports by 1.5 times.
“India and Uttar Pradesh are undergoing significant transformations, with UP emerging as a key driver of national growth. My goal is to execute highway projects worth ₹5 lakh crore by the end of my tenure as minister—so far, I have completed projects worth ₹3.5 lakh crore,” he said.
Reassuring that funding would not be an issue for UP’s highway expansion, he highlighted that, as a minister, he has overseen projects worth ₹50 lakh crore without any financial irregularities.
Gadkari also stressed that PM Modi aims for UP to become a major economic engine, with its exports increasing by 1.5 times.
“Infrastructure development is crucial for UP’s prosperity, and we are committed to making it an ideal state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already established ‘Ram Rajya’ by strengthening law and order,” he said.
“With the industrial investments attracted by the UP CM and the support extended to farmers, the state no longer falls under the category of underdeveloped BIMARU states,” the transport minister added.