Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announces major infrastructure push at India Infrastructure Forum 2025, emphasizing the role of road development in making India an economic powerhouse
In a major boost to India’s infrastructure sector, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the government will convert 25,000 to 30,000 kilometers of two-lane highways into four-lane roads. The ambitious highway development project is expected to attract an investment of Rs 8–10 lakh crore.
Speaking at the India Infrastructure Forum 2025, Gadkari emphasized that infrastructure development is vital to transforming India into a global economic power. “To make India a strong economic power, infrastructure is key,” he stated. “We have taken a decision to convert 25,000-30,000 km two-lane highways in the country into four lanes for Rs 8-10 lakh crore.”
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will also promote the Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) model to attract Indian investors for funding highway projects. Gadkari noted that using the InvIT framework would open up new avenues for sustainable, long-term infrastructure financing.
Gadkari also highlighted plans to revise the traditional Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Under the new structure, the government will collect tolls for 15 years, compensating concessionaires on an annuity basis while assigning road maintenance responsibilities to contractors during the same period.
“My dream is to complete road projects worth Rs 5–6 lakh crore every year,” Gadkari said, underlining the ministry’s commitment to rapid and efficient project execution.
This massive road expansion is expected to significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and spur economic activity across urban and rural India.
