India Needs Cost-Effective Tech for Infra: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, emphasized the importance of infrastructure development as a key agenda for the government, focusing on making technology both economically viable and safe. Speaking at an Assocham event in New Delhi, Gadkari highlighted that advancements in sectors like water, power, transport, and communication are crucial for India's growth, offering significant opportunities for employment creation.
Gadkari noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, road infrastructure and tunnel development have immense potential for driving auto investment. He stressed that bridges and tunnels are vital projects, with the government's aim to reduce costs while maintaining high quality standards. The minister further pointed out the challenges posed by importing machinery, especially from China, stressing the need for varied types of machinery to meet growing demands. Reducing costs, he added, is essential in today's world.
One of the major projects in focus is the Zojila Tunnel, a 14.2 km-long tunnel costing Rs 6,500 crore. With 55% of the physical work completed, this tunnel, located at an altitude of 9,800 feet under Zojila Pass, is considered one of Asia's longest and most critical tunnels. In line with expanding the highway network, the government plans to build 74 new tunnels at an estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh crore in the coming years.
Currently, 35 tunnels covering 49 km have been completed, costing Rs 15,000 crore. The government is also working on building new tunnels extending 273 km. Among the key milestones, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh in March 2024. This tunnel, which cost Rs 825 crore, is the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel, located at 13,000 feet. In July, the Prime Minister also launched the construction of the Shinkun la Tunnel, a 4.1-km twin-tube tunnel, to provide uninterrupted connectivity to the northern borders with China.
Additionally, the Atal Tunnel, inaugurated by PM Modi on October 3, 2020, was completed after 10 years of dedicated work by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) with an investment of over Rs 3,200 crore. These developments signal a transformative phase in India’s infrastructure and connectivity.
