India to Match US Road Standards by 2027: Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed strong confidence on June 9 that India’s road network will rival that of the United States within the next two years. He emphasized that this transformation isn’t just superficial – “the facelift has already changed,” and the real journey has only just begun.

Gadkari pointed to the Modi government’s decade-long push to expand and upgrade highways, which has notably slashed logistics costs from approximately 16% to 9% of GDP. These savings are expected to boost India’s export competitiveness by supporting agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors.

Highlighting the pace of progress, Gadkari recalled remarks from American officials who acknowledged that India’s infrastructure is ‘better than America’ in parts. By aggressively investing in national highways, expressways, bypasses, and logistics corridors under initiatives like Bharatmala, the ministry is laying the groundwork for a seamless, world-class road network.

As India accelerates high-speed corridor development, freight corridors, and rural connectivity, the Minister’s promise reflects a confident vision of a modern transport backbone, boosting economic growth and facilitating global trade.