India Embarks on Massive Greenfield Expressway Expansion with US$67.57 Billion Investment

Ambitious Infrastructure Drive Unveiled

New Delhi, India – Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced on October 9, 2025, that the Indian government is undertaking the construction of 25 greenfield expressways. These new corridors will span a total length of 10,000 km and involve an investment of approximately US$67.57 billion (equivalent to ₹6 lakh crore). The announcement was made during the 120th Annual Session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI).

This massive infrastructure push is designed to revolutionize India's transportation network, aiming for significant reductions in logistics costs and improved connectivity across the nation.

Strategic Vision for Economic Growth

The development of these greenfield expressways is a cornerstone of India's broader infrastructure strategy, including initiatives like the Bharatmala Pariyojana and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Greenfield expressways are defined as entirely new roads built on undeveloped land, allowing for optimal alignment, higher speeds, and fewer bottlenecks compared to upgrading existing highways. They are typically designed for speeds up to 120 km/hr and often include provisions for future expansion, such as an initial eight lanes expandable to twelve.

Minister Gadkari highlighted that the construction of expressways and economic corridors has already contributed to reducing India's logistics costs from 16% to 10%. He further projected a reduction to 9% by December 2025, which is expected to significantly boost India's competitiveness in global markets. For comparison, logistics costs in the US and European countries stand at around 12%, and in China, they range from 8-10%.

Key Projects and Expected Benefits

The extensive network of greenfield expressways includes several high-profile projects that are either under construction or planned. Notable examples include the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which is India's longest greenfield expressway spanning over 1,350 km and is expected to cut travel time between the two major cities from 24 hours to just 12. Other significant projects include the Amritsar-Kolkata Expressway, the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, and the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.

The benefits of these projects extend beyond reduced travel times. They are anticipated to:

• Boost intercity mobility and enhance convenience for both personal and commercial transport.
• Unlock new investment regions by opening up previously inaccessible areas, encouraging businesses to explore new locations.
• Promote regional balance and development by avoiding urban congestion and bringing growth to new areas.
• Contribute to a more efficient movement of goods, thereby strengthening trade and economic ties between agricultural and industrial belts.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

The government's vision emphasizes that infrastructure expansion must go hand-in-hand with sustainability. Minister Gadkari has previously stressed the importance of balancing 'ethics, economy, and ecology' in development. This includes initiatives such as using waste in road construction, promoting electric vehicles, green fuels, and the scrappage policy. The goal is to build a safe, green, and globally competitive India, guided by the principles of 'people, prosperity, and planet'.