India’s road infrastructure will be comparable to that of the United States within two years, senior officials in the transport ministry have said, asserting that the national highway network is undergoing a transformational upgrade. The push is part of a larger vision to reduce logistics costs, drive exports, and build world-class connectivity aligned with sustainable development goals.
The country is already seeing visible improvements through an expansive infrastructure roadmap that includes 25 greenfield expressways, a 3,000-kilometre port connectivity highway, and over ₹1 lakh crore being invested in religious and tourism circuit roads. These mega projects aim to cut commute times, boost rural-urban integration, and improve access to remote regions. Authorities believe this overhaul is not merely cosmetic but strategic, addressing long-standing inefficiencies in freight and passenger movement. Officials estimate that India’s logistics costs, which stood at 16% of GDP a decade ago—far higher than China’s 8% and the US average of 12%—have now fallen to around 9% due to the expansion of quality road infrastructure. This drop, they say, is crucial to improving India’s global competitiveness. Lower logistics costs make Indian goods cheaper in international markets, encouraging manufacturing, exports, and job creation across key sectors such as agriculture, textiles, and automotive.
Experts involved in the highway programme highlight that these developments are designed not just to replicate global benchmarks but to be rooted in India’s own economic and environmental needs. Many new expressways are being built with green technologies, using sustainable materials, solar lighting, rainwater harvesting systems, and eco-sensitive bypasses that reduce environmental degradation. Projects are also being aligned with net-zero carbon goals, especially in high-traffic corridors connecting industrial hubs and ports.
Infrastructure analysts suggest that this transition to a US-style network will benefit not just large cities, but also Tier-II and Tier-III towns. With improved connectivity, these smaller centres can emerge as logistics nodes, industrial clusters, and tourism gateways, furthering inclusive and decentralised development. In many states, the emphasis is also on integrating road networks with rail and waterways to create multi-modal freight systems that are energy efficient and climate responsive.
However, some urban planners have flagged concerns about the pace and quality of implementation, especially when it comes to maintenance, safety standards, and environmental clearances. In response, transport ministry officials have said they are monitoring projects in real-time, digitising road assessments, and introducing smart sensors to improve post-construction performance.
The push to match US-level road standards is not just an aspiration, it is a reflection of changing public expectations and India’s growing stature as a global economy. With greater transparency in tendering, long-term contracts, and a focus on climate resilience, officials say the infrastructure of tomorrow is being built today—one kilometre at a time. The promise is not just wider roads, but smarter, safer, and more sustainable ones that reflect India’s evolving needs.
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