India Observers

India is set to undertake a major infrastructure expansion by converting 25,000 to 30,000 kilometers of existing two-lane highways into four-lane roads, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced.  The project, estimated to cost around ₹10 lakh crore, aims to boost connectivity, reduce travel time, and enhance road safety across the country. Gadkari emphasized that this transformation will not only support economic growth but also improve logistics efficiency, particularly in remote and rural regions.

  The Union government has set an ambitious target of constructing 10,000 km of highways in the financial year 2025-26. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity, boost economic growth, and improve infrastructure across the country. In addition to expanding the road network, the government is also focusing on raising ₹30,000 crore through the monetisation of road assets. This will be achieved through the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), allowing private players to invest in operational highway assets. The move aligns with the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and the government's vision of developing world-class road infrastructure. With strategic funding and efficient project execution, this initiative is expected to accelerate the country’s infrastructure development and ease transportation bottlenecks.