*India has now the second largest road network and the National Highway (NH) network has grown by 60%: Harsh Malhotra
*Inspects 75 km Gorakhpur Ring Road, en route to Kushinagar, being built at an estimated cost of Rs 1780 crores
*Reviews ongoing NHAI projects of eastern Uttar Pradesh
*Public infrastructure is backbone of economic development, enhancing connectivity, trade, and overall quality of life: Harsh Malhotra
TTT NEWS NETWORK
LUCKNOW | 20 MAY 2025
Union Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways & Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, today laid the foundation stone for 5 vehicular underpasses – Baghnath, Ken Union Chowk, Fazilnagar, Salemgarh and Patheria in Kushinagar with the Minister of State for Rural Development in Uttar Pradesh Government, Vijay Lakshmi Gautam, MP, Kushinagar, Vijay Kumar Dubey, along with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials.
The vehicular underpasses, which were envisioned as an important step towards decongestion and reducing road casualties are being developed at an estimated total cost of Rs. 111 crores with a combined length of 5.4 km and are scheduled to be completed by end of 2026.
Minister highlighted that the projects would be a stepping stone for prosperity in the region which would not only ensure road safety, but would significantly contribute to the region and propel social and economic wellbeing.
Mr. Malhotra further said that these underpasses will solve the problem of traffic congestion in the city as well as reduce the number of accidents. Travel will be safer and save time and fuel, which will help reduce pollution in the area.
Mr. Harsh Malhotra highlighted that under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi , India has now the second largest road network and the National Highway (NH) network has grown by 60%, rising from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,195 km. Mr. Malhotra also said that over 4300 km of national highways have been developed in Uttar Pradesh in the last decade making it the second largest National Highway state in the country
The Minister of State, Harsh Malhotra also inspected 75 km Gorakhpur Ring Road, en route to Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh which is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 1780 crores. The officials briefed the Minister about the remaining 26 km portion of the project. Mr. Malhotra directed the officials to expedite the remaining project so that it could be opened for the general public as per the schedule
Mr. Harsh Malhotra also reviewed the ongoing NHAI projects of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Minister stated that under the able leadership of PM  Narendra Modi and guidance of Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Vikas and Virasat are being carried out simultaneously and all religious places such as Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Varanasi are being interconnected through these highways and the four Ring Roads in Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj would be instrumental in decongesting the vehicular traffic in these cities. .
National Highway stretches with four or more lanes grew 2.6 times from 18,371 km in 2014 to 48,422 km in 2024, while the National Highway construction pace rose by 2.8 times from 12.1 km/day in 2014-15 to 33.8 km/day in 2023-24.
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