On May 20, 2025, Union Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways & Corporate Affairs, Shri Harsh Malhotra, along with Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey, Member of Parliament, Kushinagar, laid the foundation stone for five vehicular underpasses in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. This event marks a significant step toward enhancing connectivity and road safety in the region, aligning with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat. This article explores the details of the initiative and its broader implications for India’s infrastructure development.
Vehicular Underpasses in Kushinagar
Promoting Safety and Decongestion
The foundation stone was laid for five vehicular underpasses at Baghnath, Ken Union Chowk, Fazilnagar, Salemgarh, and Patheria in Kushinagar. These underpasses, with a combined length of 5.4 km and an estimated cost of ₹111 crores, are designed to reduce traffic congestion and minimize road casualties. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, these projects are expected to enhance road safety, save time and fuel, and reduce pollution in the region.
Gorakhpur Ring Road Inspection
Accelerating Regional Connectivity
During his visit, Shri Harsh Malhotra inspected the 75 km Gorakhpur Ring Road, a project under construction at an estimated cost of ₹1780 crores. With 26 km of the project still pending, the Minister directed officials to expedite completion to ensure timely public access. This infrastructure development is set to improve connectivity between key cities in eastern Uttar Pradesh, supporting economic and social wellbeing.
India’s National Highway Growth
A Remarkable Expansion
Shri Malhotra highlighted that India now boasts the second largest road network globally, with the National Highway (NH) network growing by 60% from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,195 km. In Uttar Pradesh alone, over 4300 km of national highways have been developed in the last decade, making it the second largest NH state. The pace of NH construction has surged 2.8 times, from 12.1 km/day in 2014-15 to 33.8 km/day in 2023-24, with four-lane or wider highways expanding from 18,371 km to 48,422 km.
Broader Infrastructure Vision
Balancing Vikas and Virasat
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Minister emphasized that infrastructure development is harmonizing Vikas (development) and Virasat (heritage). The construction of four Ring Roads in Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj is decongesting traffic while connecting key religious and cultural sites, boosting tourism and economic activity. Shri Malhotra noted that every rupee invested in infrastructure has a multiplier effect of 3.2 times on India’s GDP.
Initiatives for Road Safety and Welfare
Enhancing Public Welfare
The Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has introduced several initiatives to enhance road safety and public welfare, including:
- Cashless Golden Hour Scheme: Provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per accident victim.
- Good Samaritans Scheme: Rewards individuals with ₹25,000 for assisting road accident victims.
- Abhay Sarathi Programme: Offers medical checkups for truck drivers.
- Rajmarg and Sukhad Apps: Provide real-time updates on national highways.
Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Foundation stone laying for 5 vehicular underpasses on May 20, 2025, in Kushinagar |
| Key Figures | Shri Harsh Malhotra, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey |
| Project Cost | ₹111 crores for underpasses, ₹1780 crores for Gorakhpur Ring Road |
| NH Growth | 60% increase, from 91,287 km (2014) to 1,46,195 km |
| Initiatives | Cashless Golden Hour, Good Samaritans, Abhay Sarathi, Rajmarg/Sukhad apps |
| Impact | Enhances connectivity, road safety, and economic growth for Viksit Bharat |