Nitin Gadkari has said that India has the potential to mobilise up to ₹8 lakh crore annually for highway development, but highlighted that the current pace of spending remains slower than required.
Speaking on the state of road infrastructure, Gadkari noted that while funding availability is strong through multiple channels, including budgetary support, monetisation models, and private participation, the challenge lies in efficient utilisation and timely execution of projects.
He emphasised that despite the ability to raise large-scale capital, project implementation and expenditure are not keeping pace, which could impact the overall momentum of highway development in the country.
The minister also pointed to the need for faster decision-making, streamlined approvals, and improved coordination among agencies to ensure that funds are deployed effectively and projects are completed on schedule.
India’s highway sector has seen significant expansion in recent years, supported by initiatives such as asset monetisation, public-private partnerships (PPP), and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs). However, Gadkari indicated that unlocking the full potential of funding will depend on accelerating on-ground execution.
The statement underscores a key challenge in India’s infrastructure growth story not just mobilising capital, but ensuring its timely and efficient deployment to meet the country’s ambitious road development targets.
