Anand Mahindra targets top position as India overtakes China in roads

09 Jan 2024 CW Team

Discussing India's road network, business magnate Anand Mahindra expressed surprise at India surpassing China and approaching the United States, which boasts the world's largest road network. The Mahindra Group's chairman is optimistic about Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, aiming for the top spot globally.

In a post on social network X, Mahindra shared data from The World Ranking, revealing that India's road network spans 67 lakh km, slightly behind the US with 68.32 lakh km and ahead of China with 52 lakh km.

Numerous netizens commented on Mahindra's post, acknowledging the achievement. One user suggested focusing on road signage, restrooms, and intracity roads while emphasising the need for improved road sense among Indians. Another user highlighted the importance of quality road infrastructure for last-mile connectivity, efficient transportation, and rapid industrialisation, drawing inspiration from countries like Vietnam.

In June of the previous year, Minister Nitin Gadkari touted the Modi government's achievements, citing a 59% surge in the total length of National Highways over nine years. India now possesses the second-largest road network globally after the United States, with the total length reaching 1,45,240 km in 2022-23. Gadkari also credited the nearly doubled extension of 4-lane National Highways, the success of FASTag in toll collection, and the reduction in waiting times at toll plazas.

Highlighting the government's infrastructure initiatives, Gadkari mentioned the ongoing construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The Delhi?Dausa?Lalsot section is already open to the public, marking progress in India's ambitious road development projects.

Infrastructure Urban

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