At the 83rd Annual Convention of the Indian Road Congress in Raipur, Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari pledged that Chhattisgarh's roads would soon match the quality of American highways. With projects worth Rs 20,000 crore, including plans for four-laning of highways, new flyovers, and eco-friendly innovations, Gadkari outlined a vision aimed at making India a global infrastructure leader. The event, hosted at Science Ground in Raipur, emphasised sustainable growth, economic resilience, and the role of infrastructure in a developing India.

Gadkari announced that India's road networks would reach American standards within two years, with Chhattisgarh as a flagship example. He approved several major projects, including four-laning of national highways such as Dhamtari to Jagdalpur, Raipur to Balodabazar-Sargarh, Katghora to Ambikapur, and Bilaspur to Akaltara-Raigarh up to the Odisha border. Additionally, Raipur will see new flyovers at Sarona, Udyog Bhawan, Telibandha, and Dhaneli junctions, transforming the capital’s traffic landscape. For rural areas, single-lane and two-lane roads are on the agenda, improving connectivity across the state.

In his speech, Gadkari celebrated the nation’s engineers as modern-day 'Vishwakarmas' who play an essential role in building India. “All of you have a huge contribution in the building of the nation. Our PM's mission is to make India a 5 trillion economy and make India self-reliant. For this, we will have to progress in industry and agriculture,” he said, rallying the technical community to adopt advanced engineering practices while also saving public resources.

Gadkari highlighted an eco-friendly alternative: the bamboo crash barrier developed in Chhattisgarh. "This eco-friendly innovation has the capacity to replace steel," he stated, encouraging engineers to opt for bamboo instead of iron across Chhattisgarh’s projects, benefiting local farmers who supply bamboo.

“Roads are the arteries of our economy,” stated chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, emphasising infrastructure’s role in economic growth. Sai underscored Chhattisgarh’s goal to align with India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047, with the aim to double its GSDP by 2028.

Beyond expansion, Gadkari stressed the urgent need to reduce road accidents, advocating for better engineering and road safety standards. "We need concerted efforts to improve road engineering and prioritize road safety," he stated, calling for a technical approach to mitigate risks on India’s highways.

CM Sai discussed Chhattisgarh’s commitment to environmental balance. With the transport sector accounting for 40% of the nation’s pollution, Sai urged officials to pursue integrated road development with environmental sensitivity. As Chhattisgarh marks its silver jubilee this year, he expressed pride in the state's hosting of the IRC convention, praising Gadkari’s approval of Rs 11,000 crore in state-focused projects.

The event showcased three new road construction and safety guidelines, marking a step forward in quality standards and technology adoption. A manual on road safety, along with a souvenir from the Indian Road Congress, was released, underlining the commitment to a safer, more efficient road network.

With strong ambitions, Gadkari’s announcements in Raipur signal a shift in India’s infrastructure development, guided by innovation, eco-friendliness, and safety. By combining solutions like bamboo crash barriers and biofuels with quality engineering, India’s road to the future is on track.