Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced a monumental commitment of ₹2 lakh crore from the Centre to dramatically enhance Jharkhand’s infrastructure, signalling an unprecedented surge in highway development for the mineral-rich state. This ambitious investment is not merely about expanding road networks; it represents a strategic pivot towards building resilient, efficient, and sustainable connectivity crucial for propelling India towards a $5-trillion economy. The initiative is poised to unlock immense potential, fostering equitable growth and creating pathways for eco-friendly urban and regional development across the state.
Gadkari, addressing a public gathering, underscored the Centre’s unwavering commitment, detailing past achievements and future aspirations. “We have completed ₹40,000-crore national highway projects in the state. At present, we are implementing highway projects worth ₹70,000 crore, while projects worth ₹75,000 crore are in the pipeline,” he affirmed. This cumulative investment of ₹1.85 lakh crore, with an additional ₹15,000 crore pledged, underscores a robust pipeline of projects designed to drastically improve travel times and integrate remote regions. The emphasis on strengthening infrastructure is directly aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a robust, competitive India.
Key greenfield and economic corridors are at the heart of this transformative plan, promising to redefine inter-state connectivity. The ₹36,000-crore Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata greenfield corridor is slated for completion by March 2028, while the ₹12,800-crore Ranchi-Varanasi economic corridor targets a January 2028 finish. Further bolstering the region’s links to major economic hubs, the ₹31,700-crore six-lane Delhi-Kolkata corridor is anticipated by June 2026, and the ₹8,900-crore Ranchi-Patna four-lane economic corridor by December 2029. Additionally, the ₹16,500-crore Raipur-Dhanbad four-lane economic corridor is expected to be completed by January 2028. These projects will not only facilitate faster movement of goods and people but also reduce carbon emissions by easing congestion and optimising logistics.
Beyond major inter-state arteries, the Union Minister also announced significant local initiatives, including a ₹6,000-crore Ranchi Ring Road project, with a detailed report expected shortly. Furthermore, dedicated projects are planned to enhance connectivity to Jharkhand’s religious and tourist sites, such as the renowned Baba Baidyanath in Deoghar. Such targeted investments are crucial for promoting inclusive tourism, creating local employment opportunities, and ensuring that economic benefits permeate across diverse communities, contributing to equitable growth. The enhanced connectivity also facilitates emergency services and access to essential amenities, promoting overall societal well-being.
Gadkari projected a bold vision for India’s road network, asserting that within two years, Indian highways would match the quality of America’s. Crucially, he also set an ambitious target to reduce logistics costs to 9 per cent of GDP by December 2025, a significant drop from the current 14 per cent. This reduction is vital for boosting India’s economic competitiveness globally and fostering a more efficient supply chain, directly contributing to a cleaner, more efficient economy. He also took the opportunity to urge the Jharkhand government to streamline land acquisition and forest clearance processes, critical bottlenecks that often delay crucial projects and impact the timely delivery of sustainable infrastructure.
Highlighting an innovative approach to resource management, Gadkari drew a comparison with Maharashtra, where NHAI constructed 1,000 ponds using excavated earth from road construction, simultaneously aiding water conservation. He urged Jharkhand to adopt a similar strategy, offering free construction of such ponds. This integrated approach aligns perfectly with the agenda of creating eco-friendly and sustainable cities, demonstrating how infrastructure development can synergise with environmental preservation. The expansion of Jharkhand’s national highway network from 2,600 km in 2014 to 4,470 km currently, linking 19 aspirational districts, signifies a tangible commitment to connecting and empowering the state’s most underserved regions, ensuring no community is left behind in the journey towards an equitable future.
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