Gadkari: Improved Roads Reduce Logistics Costs by 6%, Boosting India’s Economic Ambitions

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that India’s logistics costs have decreased by six percent, dropping from 16 percent, due to significant improvements in road infrastructure. This infrastructure development aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to elevate India to a ‘Vishwa Guru’ status and transform the nation into the world’s third-largest economy with a $5 trillion target. Gadkari emphasized that reducing logistics costs is crucial for enhancing export competitiveness and fostering growth across agricultural, service, and industrial sectors. He highlighted that high logistics costs were a major impediment compared to countries like China, the US, and European nations. With the advancements in road quality, the minister anticipates further reductions, aiming to achieve a 9 percent logistics cost by the following year. He also stated that India’s road infrastructure will resemble the US in the next two years because of the government’s investment in roads and highways.