New Delhi (National Times): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Sunday announced an ambitious roadmap for India’s highway infrastructure, claiming that a network of new expressways and road corridors is set to cut travel times and transform the country’s connectivity dramatically.
Speaking at an event in the capital, Gadkari highlighted that the government is undertaking rapid construction of high-speed highways across India, many of which will drastically reduce travel time between major cities.
“We are building so many highways in Delhi that you will be able to reach Delhi to Dehradun in 2 hours, Delhi to Amritsar in 3.5 to 4 hours, Delhi to Katra in 6 hours, Delhi to Srinagar in 8 hours, and Delhi to Jaipur in just 2 hours,” he said.
He also cited upcoming expressways in the south, including Chennai to Bengaluru in 2 hours and Bengaluru to Mysuru in just 1 hour, as examples of the changing face of India’s highway network.
25 Green Expressways to Reshape Infrastructure
The minister revealed that over 25 new Green Express Highways are currently in development, part of a nationwide push to reduce travel time, lower vehicle emissions, and promote economic growth.
“We are making about 25 more Green Express Highways like this, and I believe this will change the entire map of India,” Gadkari remarked, signaling a shift toward sustainable and high-capacity roadways.
One such completed project includes the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, which now allows commuters to travel between the two cities in just 50 minutes.
Focus on Religious and Hilly Regions
In addition to intercity connectivity, Gadkari also mentioned key infrastructure projects in hilly and pilgrimage areas. The central government is currently constructing ropeways in Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, aimed at improving accessibility for devotees while reducing environmental strain in ecologically sensitive zones.
Rs 1.5 Lakh Crore Projects to Decongest Delhi
Gadkari emphasized that the government is investing approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore in road projects specifically designed to ease traffic congestion and curb pollution in Delhi, a city often ranked among the most polluted in the world.
“These roads will help free Delhi from traffic jams and pollution,” he said, underlining the dual aim of smoother urban mobility and environmental improvement.
Nationwide Impact
Gadkari’s statements reflect the Centre’s growing emphasis on infrastructure-led economic development, with highways playing a central role in logistics, tourism, and employment generation.
While critics have called for balanced development with a focus on public transport and environmental safeguards, the government maintains that its infrastructure vision will enable faster, cleaner, and more efficient mobility across India.
As these projects move closer to completion, they are expected to dramatically reshape how people and goods move across the country, one expressway at a time.
