Gadkari: No Fund Shortage; Rs 7 Lakh Cr in Road Projects This Year, Rs 10 Lakh Cr Annually by FY27
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government will award ₹7 lakh crore worth of road projects in 2025-26 and raise the target to ₹10 lakh crore per year starting next fiscal year adding that the process is transparent, time bound and corruption free, and there is no shortage of funds.
Addressing at the annual session of Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers' Association (ICEMA), the Minister said the sector witnessed some slowdown in the last one year due to the cancellation of the Bharatmala project. But in the current year we have already awarded projects worth ₹2 lakh crore and the plan is to award another ₹5 lakh crore worth of road projects by the end of this year, taking the total to ₹7 lakh crore. He also expressed his desire to achieve the daily construction rate of 100 km per day as against the highest of 37 km per day in 2020-21.
Gadkari emphasized the critical need for technological advancement and sustainability in construction equipment. “Green fuel, electric, and hydrogen-based vehicles are not only environmentally responsible, they’re also more economical and profitable,” he stated. “Adopting sustainable practices is a strategic move that benefits all stakeholders. If the CE industry embraces sustainability, quality, and innovation, I can guarantee that global demand will grow significantly.” He urged the CE industry to invest in high-capacity machinery for tunneling and pre-cast construction. “We are building tunnels worth ₹3 lakh crore, but machinery availability remains a bottleneck. European nations have advanced tunnel boring equipment — we need to adapt such machines for Indian conditions. Pre-cast is now mandatory in many projects, requiring specialized machinery. I urge your industry to step up in these areas.”
The Minister also assured industry members of forthcoming policy support, “We are bringing a new bill in the next Parliament session to address the challenges the CE industry faces in competing with global players. Your concerns have been heard, and they will be addressed.” Requesting the Hon’ble Minister’s support, V. Vivekanand, President, ICEMA and Managing Director of Caterpillar India, said, “To build a safer, more efficient future, we must make skilling mandatory for all operators. It’s not just about compliance — it’s about improving quality, minimizing risk, and unlocking long-term productivity. We seek the Hon’ble Minister’s guidance on making this mandatory in our industry. Delivering the closing remarks, Deepak Shetty, President-Designate, ICEMA and CEO & Managing Director of JCB India, said, “We stand at a critical juncture where innovation, sustainability, and workforce development will shape our growth. Strengthening domestic manufacturing and embracing digital transformation are key to India’s global competitiveness. We are fully committed to green practices and open to all collaborations that support a cleaner, greener future for the CE sector.”
The ICEMA Annual Session 2025 reinforced the construction equipment industry’s vital role in India’s infrastructure development. With shared commitment from government and industry leaders, the sector is poised to drive progress toward Viksit Bharat 2047 through cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and enhanced global competitiveness.
