Highways worth ₹23 lakh cr underway, location for 35 multi-modal logistics parks identified: Pankaj Choudhary

Minister of State (Finance) Pankaj Choudhary today said that the government is working towards creating logistics capacity, keeping in mind the developed economy goal by 2047 laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Choudhary added that highways projects worth ₹23 lakh crore are currently under implementation and the government has also identified locations for multi-modal logistics park.

“Since 2014, the Modi government has provided a major impetus to infrastructure, ranging from sectors like roads and railways to aviation. This has eased the lives of the people and has also provided a positive impact on the economy. PM has given a special attention and focus to road rail and infra during the times of the covid. Infrastructure is the backbone of any economy,” said Choudhary in a briefing.

“Road sector projects worth ₹23 lakh crore, spanning 32,920 kms are currently under construction. 35 locations have been identified for multi-modal logistics parks. The government is planning logistics capacity keeping in mind the goals of developed India by 2047,” Choudhary added.

The MoS’s comments come at a time when the utilisation of capital expenditure by ministries has slowed down. Against the budget estimate (BE) of ₹11,11,111 crore towards capital expenditure for the current financial year, the actual expenditure till October stands at ₹4,66,545 crore, or 42% of the BE, 2024-25. Till October last year, the capex utilisation by the ministries was significantly higher at 54.7% of the budget estimate for 2023-24. The spending by the ministry of highways has come down and the amount spent by the railway ministry remains flat.

Being asked about the lackluster utilisation of the funds by the ministries, Choudhary said that land acquisition issues are impacting the highways construction.