Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has reiterated the central government’s commitment to transforming Jharkhand’s infrastructure landscape by implementing projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore in the coming years. Addressing a review meeting in Ranchi with state officials, MPs, and industry representatives, Gadkari outlined an ambitious roadmap focusing on highways, green mobility, logistics parks, and rural connectivity to accelerate Jharkhand’s economic growth.
Key Highlights of Gadkari’s Announcement
- Project Pipeline:
Gadkari revealed that ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore will cover sectors such as national highways, expressways, ropeways, and logistics hubs. - Focus Areas:
- National Highway expansion: Doubling Jharkhand’s highway length from 4,500 km (2014) to over 9,000 km by 2028.
- Green mobility: Promoting ethanol, methanol, and compressed biogas production clusters in tribal and rural areas to boost income and reduce fuel import bills.
- Ropeway infrastructure: Developing ropeway projects in Ranchi, Deoghar, and Netarhat to ease urban congestion and promote tourism.
- Multi-modal logistics parks: Identifying Dhanbad, Bokaro, and Ranchi for integrated logistics hubs to facilitate coal, steel, and cement transportation.
Project-wise Investment Details
| Project Type | Estimated Investment (Rs crore) | Locations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| National highways and expressways | 1,20,000 | Ranchi Ring Road, NH-33 expansion, Barhi-Hazaribagh Expressway | Under construction/tendering |
| Ropeways and cable cars | 5,000 | Ranchi Morabadi, Deoghar Baba Dham, Netarhat hills | DPRs approved |
| Logistics parks | 8,000 | Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ranchi outskirts | Feasibility studies underway |
| Rural roads under PMGSY | 12,500 | All 24 districts | 65% completed |
| Ethanol & biogas clusters | 15,000 | Santhal Pargana, Palamu, Singhbhum | MOUs signed with private sector |
| Railway-road integration | 40,000 | Dedicated freight corridors | Planning stage |
Strategic Significance for Jharkhand
Nitin Gadkari emphasised that these investments will:
- Improve mining and industrial connectivity: Faster evacuation of coal, iron ore, and steel to ports and markets.
- Boost tourism: Better roads and ropeways to Parasnath, Netarhat, and Deoghar will increase tourist inflow and local livelihoods.
- Generate employment: Expected to create over 2 lakh direct and indirect jobs across construction, logistics, transport, and hospitality sectors.
- Enhance rural incomes: Ethanol and compressed biogas clusters will provide assured markets for maize, paddy straw, bamboo, and cattle dung.
Quotes from Gadkari
“Jharkhand’s rich mineral and forest resources can power India’s economy. But to unlock its true potential, modern, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure is essential.”
He added:
“Our government under PM Modi’s leadership is working with speed and scale. Jharkhand’s highway density will soon match the national average, integrating it fully into India’s growth corridors.”
Rural Connectivity Progress
Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), over 14,000 km of rural roads have been constructed since 2014, connecting over 5,800 habitations in Jharkhand. Gadkari instructed officials to prioritise left-out tribal villages in Gumla, Simdega, and Latehar districts for all-weather road connectivity within the next two years.
State Government Reaction
Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren welcomed the Centre’s commitment, urging faster clearances for pending forest and environmental approvals to avoid project delays. He said:
“Infrastructure is the backbone of development. We seek Centre’s continuous support for early execution of these projects benefiting our farmers, youth, and tribal communities.”
Industry and Experts’ Views
- Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI):
“Highway and logistics park investments will attract new MSMEs, warehousing, and agro-processing units.” - Prof. Anil Kumar, BIT Mesra:
“Ropeway projects are cost-effective urban mobility solutions for Ranchi and Deoghar, while green fuel clusters align with India’s net zero goals.”
Employment Generation Potential by Project Type
| Project Category | Direct Employment | Indirect Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Highway & expressway construction | 80,000 | 1,20,000 |
| Ropeway development | 2,500 | 5,000 |
| Logistics parks | 10,000 | 25,000 |
| Ethanol & biogas plants | 15,000 | 40,000 |
| Rural roads & allied | 20,000 | 30,000 |
Social Media and Public Reaction
Following Gadkari’s announcement, hashtags such as #JharkhandDevelopment, #InfraForGrowth, and #ModiGadkariInfraPush trended on X (formerly Twitter). Citizens welcomed the upcoming expressway between Ranchi and Hazaribagh, which will reduce travel time from 4 hours to 1.5 hours, benefitting students, professionals, and industries.
Future Targets
Gadkari outlined the Ministry’s targets for Jharkhand by 2030:
- National highway density: Increase to 40 km/1000 sq km, matching national average.
- EV charging corridors: Establish fast-charging stations at every 50 km interval along all highways.
- 100% connectivity for villages above 250 population under PMGSY III.
- Complete electrification of mining logistics: Transition to EVs and CNG-powered trucks to reduce carbon footprint.
Challenges Ahead
Despite ambitious plans, challenges include:
- Delays due to forest and land acquisition clearances.
- Funding gaps in state-level complementary infrastructure.
- Skilled labour shortage for high-tech construction and green fuel clusters.
- Ensuring maintenance of rural roads post-construction.
Conclusion
With Nitin Gadkari’s detailed announcement reaffirming the Centre’s intent, Jharkhand is poised for an infrastructure transformation that could redefine its economic destiny. The Rs 2 lakh crore investment pipeline, if executed with speed and transparency, promises to integrate Jharkhand seamlessly with national growth corridors, boost employment, and empower its tribal and rural communities with better connectivity, logistics support, and income opportunities.
Disclaimer: This news report is based on government briefings, official addresses, and industry inputs. It does not constitute professional investment or project management advice.
