NHs network is now second-largest road network in the world: Harsh Malhotra
Addressing the Road and Highways Summit here, Malhotra emphasised that these modern highways are not just roads they are lifelines of progress, connecting people, industries and opportunities, an official statement said.
"By expanding the network, the government has redefined the very experience of travel -- making it faster, safer and significantly more comfortable for every citizen," he said.
He said that the government's spending on road infrastructure has increased 6.4 times between 2013–14 and 2024–25, with a 57 per cent rise in the budget allocation for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This, he said reflects the government's unwavering commitment to connectivity, mobility and economic growth.
The Minister also stated that in recent years road infrastructure has created 45 crore man-days of direct employment, 57 crore man-days of indirect employment and 532 crore man-days of induced employment which demonstrates the substantial impact of infrastructure projects on job creation across various sectors.
Malhotra also stated that more than 10,000 km of National Highways constructed in North Eastern Region during the past decade, which demonstrates the government's commitment to the region.
He also highlighted the Delhi Decongestion Plan, which aims to reduce the traffic congestion and pollution in the city and would improve connectivity in the city.
The plan includes extension of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (NE-5) from KMPE till UER-II (NH-344M) in Delhi and Haryana, Extension of UER-II (NH-344M) near Alipur till Delhi-Dehradun Expressway (NH-709B) near Tronica City in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, construction of a road tunnel starting from Dwarka Expressway (near Shiv Murti Mahipalpur) to Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj.
He said the the Ministry is in process of developing 700+ Wayside Amenities (WSAs) by 2028-29 that offer clean restrooms, quality food, rest areas, fuel stations, and EV charging points.
Stating that the Ministry was according top priority to the road safety said, "14000 accident prone blackspots have been rectified. Minister also applauded the successful implementation of schemes like the good samaritan scheme and the cashless golden hour scheme".
The Minister further stated that with initiatives like the Green Highways Policy and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', the Ministry has planted over 4.78 crore trees and transplanted around 70,000 trees along national highways.
He said that the Ministry has also adopted sustainable construction practices including the use of over 80 lakh tonnes of plastic waste in major projects such as UER-II and the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway. Additionally, fly ash from thermal power plants is being incorporated into highway construction, reducing the need for raw materials and lowering emissions.
"The construction of more highways is pivotal to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Every rupee invested in highway development yields a threefold return to the GDP, unlocks vast employment opportunities and opens multiple channels for revenue generation and the government is not just building roads— it is laying the foundation for a prosperous, peaceful, and resilient Bharat," he added.
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