Delhi, 18 July (H.S.): Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road, Transport & Highways Harsh Malhotra addressed the Road and Highways Summit in Delhi, emphasizing the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)’s commitment to building world-class infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Nitin Gadkari. He stated that in the last 11 years, the Ministry has significantly advanced highway construction, connecting cities and accelerating development.

Harsh Malhotra highlighted that modern highways serve as lifelines for progress, making travel faster, safer, and more comfortable. The national highway network has expanded from 91,000 km in 2014 to over 1.46 lakh km today, making it the second-largest road network globally. The government’s increased spending on road infrastructure has grown 6.4 times from 2013–14 to 2024–25, with a 57% budget increase for road transport and highways reflecting a commitment to connectivity and economic growth.

He pointed out that road infrastructure has generated substantial employment, creating 45 crore man-days of direct jobs and 532 crore man-days of induced employment across sectors. He also mentioned more than 10,000 km of National Highways constructed in the North Eastern Region over the past decade, demonstrating the government's commitment to that area.

Malhotra discussed the Delhi Decongestion Plan aimed at reducing traffic congestion and pollution, detailing several projects including expressway extensions and road tunnel construction. The Ministry is developing over 700 Wayside Amenities by 2028-29, offering clean facilities and EV charging points.

Prioritizing road safety, the Ministry has rectified 14,000 accident-prone black spots and has successfully implemented schemes like the Good Samaritan Scheme. With initiatives such as the Green Highways Policy, over 4.78 crore trees have been planted along national highways, promoting sustainability in construction practices by using recycled materials.

In conclusion, the Minister stated that the construction of more highways is crucial for the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, as every investment in highway development can yield substantial returns to GDP and open various employment and revenue opportunities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar