On Friday, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari dedicated two road infrastructure projects and laid the foundation for 17 national highway and Central Road & Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) projects of 460 km with an Rs 8,000 crore investment. In Telangana, a total of 4,996 km of national highway network has been laid till March 2022, which was 2,511 km in 2014. The NH network has been improved by 2,485 km in the last eight years, and it will be increased in the future. Two projects were inaugurated, and the foundation stone has been laid for 17 projects in Telangana. In Telangana, NH infrastructure projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore will be constructed by December 2024, and be assured that these roads would be equivalent to those in the United States. The Minister said in Telangana, out of 33 districts, 32 have already been connected with the NH network, and the remaining one district would be linked soon. He said five out of the 26 green express highways constructed in the nation would be passing through Telangana. Hyderabad was a major IT hub and engine of the nation's economic growth, he said the prosperity of Telangana would lead to the nation's progress. Gadkari said that to make an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and fulfil the Prime Minister's dream of making India a $5 trillion economy. Gadkari said that the international standard road infrastructure will be done in Telangana. Gadkari promised road infrastructure in the state would be equivalent to America before 2024-end. The Minister said the construction of roads would guarantee progress, employment, poverty eradication, development, and the welfare of farmers. Image Source Also read: MoRTH inaugurates 16 NH projects worth over Rs 2k cr in Maharashtra