New Delhi
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced an ambitious plan to transform India’s transport infrastructure. It strongly focuses on green mobility, advanced technology, and eco-friendly solutions. His vision includes everything from hyperloop systems and electric rapid transit to ropeways and flex-fuel vehicles. The aim behind this is to reduce pollution, improve connectivity, and boost the economy.
Highway Expansion & Modern Safety Measures
Gadkari confirmed that the ministry is working toward building 100 km of highways daily, while 25,000 km of existing two-lane roads will be upgraded to four-lane highways. India’s national highway network has already grown from 91,287 km in 2013–14 to 1,46,204 km, and high-speed corridors have increased from just 93 km to 2,474 km in the same period.
To enhance road safety and efficiency, the government is introducing:
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AI-based monitoring systems
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Precast construction technology
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Three-foot-high road barriers
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Drone surveillance and camera systems
A large-scale tree plantation plan is also in progress, with a proposal to plant 20–25 crore trees along highways. A “tree bank” concept is being reviewed by the Environment Ministry to support this mission.
Urban and Remote Area Connectivity
To connect rural and hilly areas more efficiently, the government is planning 360 ropeway, cable car, and funicular railway projects, of which 60 have already begun. Locations include pilgrimage sites like Kedarnath.
“Days are not far off when cities will have cable-run buses and electric rapid mass transport with aeroplane-like facilities,” he said.
In cities like Delhi and Bengaluru, pilot projects are underway to test:
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Metrino pod taxis
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Hyperloop systems
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Elevated pillar-based rapid transit
These systems aim to reduce congestion and promote fast, clean urban transport.
Electric Buses & Flex-Fuel Push
A tender has been floated in Nagpur for 135-seater electric buses, capable of running at 120–125 km/h. These buses will offer airline-like comfort and are expected to be 30% cheaper than diesel buses in the long run.
Meanwhile, 11 major automobile companies, including Tata, Toyota, Hyundai, and Mahindra, are preparing to launch flex-fuel engine vehicles that can run on ethanol, methanol, or biofuel blends—a move aimed at reducing India’s heavy reliance on imported fuel.
Economic & Environmental Impact
Transport currently accounts for nearly 40% of India’s air pollution. The country’s fuel import bill stands at around ₹22 lakh crore annually. Gadkari’s green transport vision aims to:
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Cut down on fuel imports
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Lower logistics costs from 14% to 9% of GDP
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Promote cleaner air and reduce environmental damage
He expressed confidence in India’s progress, stating:
“We are driving innovation. A revolution in mass mobility is underway,”
— Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister
Gadkari also said that within the next year, India’s highways will be comparable in quality to those in the United States.
With these projects ranging from ₹200 crore to ₹5,000 crore, the government is not just expanding roads, but reshaping the entire transport ecosystem, with a focus on speed, safety, sustainability, and accessibility. The emphasis on environmental responsibility, technological advancement, and employment generation makes this one of the most forward-looking mobility plans in India’s history.
