The travel duration between Delhi and Haridwar is set to decrease to just one and a half hours following the completion of a new expressway, as stated by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. This expressway is anticipated to be operational within the next two months. At the Confederation of Indian Industry’s National Conference on the Future of India, Gadkari highlighted that this development will greatly enhance the convenience for pilgrims and tourists visiting Haridwar, a prominent site along the Ganga River.

Currently, the journey from Delhi to Haridwar takes approximately three to four hours. With the new expressway in place, it will be feasible for travellers to depart from Delhi early in the morning, enjoy a dip in the Ganga, and have breakfast in Haridwar, all within a much shorter timeframe.

This announcement follows the recent inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Greenfield Expressway, which has successfully reduced the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from five to six hours down to about two hours.

Improvements in Road Infrastructure

Gadkari elaborated on the enhancements in road connectivity across India, emphasising how various infrastructure projects are effectively cutting travel times and bolstering economic activities. For instance, the travel time from Delhi to Meerut, which previously took around three and a half hours, has now been reduced to approximately 45 to 50 minutes. Similarly, the duration of travel from Delhi to Jaipur has been slashed from five hours to just two hours.

He also mentioned that improvements in connectivity would enable travel between Bengaluru and Chennai, a journey that currently takes four to five hours, to be completed in around two hours. These significant reductions in travel time are expected to lower logistics costs, thereby facilitating tourism and overall development.

The minister indicated that the government has plans to construct 36 green expressways across the nation, which he believes will bring transformative changes to India’s transport and development landscape. He noted that road infrastructure projects valued at approximately Rs 1.6 lakh crore are currently underway in Delhi.

Logistics Costs and Economic Growth

Gadkari also addressed the decline in India’s logistics costs, attributing it to the ongoing infrastructure development, which he considers crucial for the nation’s economic future. He reported that logistics costs, previously estimated at 16 per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), have now fallen to around 9 per cent. In comparison, he stated that China’s logistics costs are approximately 8 per cent of its GDP, while those in the United States stand at about 12 per cent.

The minister pointed out that the previously high logistics costs had presented considerable challenges for India’s international trade and business landscape. He asserted that improved infrastructure could enhance agricultural productivity and support various sectors, including industry and commerce.

Gadkari underscored the significance of infrastructure development as a foundational element for India’s future growth, highlighting its potential to advance several economic sectors.

Char Dham Project Progress

In his address, Gadkari connected infrastructure investment with tourism and employment opportunities, stating that capital expenditure in the tourism sector can lead to job creation. He cited the Char Dham project, which has an estimated budget of around Rs 12,000 crore, as a prime example of infrastructure development that supports pilgrimage tourism.

The minister reported that approximately 85 per cent of the Char Dham project has been completed. He also noted a threefold increase in the number of travellers journeying from Delhi to Badrinath and Kedarnath compared to previous years. Gadkari expressed optimism that infrastructure investment will not only facilitate tourism growth but also generate employment while reducing travel times and logistics costs.

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