Investment in road & highways key to sustaining economic growth, says report

New Delhi: India’s road and highway sector’s growth is vital not only for economic development but also for creating a more inclusive and connected society, a report has said.

The report, released at a CII conference here on the road and highways sector, also emphasised the crucial role of road infrastructure in stimulating economic growth, fostering investor confidence, generating employment, and enabling inclusive development, according to a statement.

“With a projected global infrastructure funding requirement of USD 3.7 trillion annually to keep pace with GDP growth, the significance of continued expansion and strengthening of India’s road network remains paramount,” the report stated.

The report noted states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan have played pivotal roles in driving National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects and investments.

Rural road development has also gained traction, with rural roads accounting for 71 per cent of the overall road network.

The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) forecasts a substantial investment of INR 111 lakh crore in infrastructure projects during fiscals 2020-25, with a significant portion allocated to the road sector, it said.

Asim Tewari, Managing Director, LSI Engineering & Consultants Ltd, mentioned that to keep India’s GDP growing at a constant rate of 7-8 per cent, it is imperative for the government to continuously focus on increasing investment in the Infrastructure Sector, according to the statement.

The report also noted land acquisition issues, road quality concerns, regulatory complexities, and financial hurdles are some concerns that remain in the construction sector.