Thu Apr 10 23:05:00 UTC 2025: ## Madhya Pradesh’s Highway Network to Surpass US in Two Years, Gadkari Promises
**Bhopal, April 11, 2025** – Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has pledged that Madhya Pradesh’s national highway network will surpass that of the United States within two years. Speaking at an event in Dhar on Thursday, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 10 national highway projects worth ₹5,800 crore, Mr. Gadkari made the bold assertion.
The 10 projects, including the newly completed Badnawar-Ujjain four-lane highway, will add 328 kilometers to the state’s national highway network. Mr. Gadkari emphasized the transformative impact of infrastructure development, quoting John F. Kennedy’s assertion that America’s prosperity stemmed from its robust road network. He further announced the completion of ₹3 lakh crore worth of infrastructure projects within the next year, aiming to stimulate industrial growth, employment, and alleviate poverty.
The Minister advocated for a focus on developing “smart villages” rather than solely “smart cities,” prioritizing rural infrastructure improvements, including better roads, schools, and access to clean water and healthcare. He stressed the importance of ensuring farmers receive fair prices for their crops.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and other state ministers were present at the event. Mr. Gadkari’s announcement echoes similar claims made in 2018 by then-Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, which sparked a political debate at the time. The Minister’s confidence underscores the ambitious infrastructure development plan underway in Madhya Pradesh.
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