Delhi-Mumbai expressway to reduce logistics cost: Gadkari reviews NH 53 and 48

He said, “The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is the country’s longest highway, stretching over an area of 1,350 kilometres. Once put in use, it will take around 12 hours from start to finish. We will also connect it in Uttar Pradesh. This historical highway is among the longest in the world. The credit for success in such a historical work goes to the teams working behind and to the support of state governments and the people. Earlier, we faced problems like land acquisition and environmental issues, but they were sorted out, and now we will complete the project soon.”

Speaking about ways to reduce the logistics cost, he said, “We have a dream to bring electric buses and electric trucks to ply on this road. This will help to reduce the logistics costs. Presently, logistics costs in India are 16 per cent, in China 8 per cent, and in the US and European countries 12 per cent. We will try to bring logistics costs to single digits. We will build high-quality roads, and using biofuel in vehicles will help increase exports and tourism, and people will feel that travelling on these roads is more comfortable.”

About damaged roads on National Highways in some parts of Gujarat, he said, “We are checking their condition and they will be repaired soon.”

The Union minister was accompanied by staffers of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and welcomed by the Bardoli BJP MLA Ishwar Parmar during his visit to Bardoli and Valsad.

Gadkari, on a two-day visit to Gujarat, also announced a boost to the state’s highway network, allocating funds worth Rs. 20,000 crore. After inspecting the national highway near Himmatnagar on Wednesday, he arrived in Gandhinagar, to hold a crucial review meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and senior officials of the Road and Housing Department. During the meeting, Gadkari assured the Centre will fund Rs. 20,000 crore for highways and other projects in Gujarat, under the NHAI.

In the review meeting, Gadkari asked officials and contractors to “ensure high quality in road construction or else face action,” according to news agency PTI.

Strict instructions were issued that any kind of negligence in the construction and resurfacing of national highways will not be tolerated, added the PTI report.

In a meeting with Gadkari, CM Patel said Gujarat’s highways carry more than 35% of the state’s vehicle load, making regular maintenance and expansion crucial. He urged the speedy completion of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai, Rajkot-Gondal-Jetpur, and Ahmedabad-Udaipur highway projects.