Increased speed limit on expressways to bring down logistics cost

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari laid emphasis on bringining down the fuel and thereby the logistics cost, the speed limit for vehicles on expressways is soon to be increased, adding that rules and regulations in this regard would be changed. Gadkari who inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several road development projects worth Rs 21,559 crore in Andhra Pradesh, while addressing the public noted that the Indian exports are struggling due to the high logistics cost.
“Our logistics cost is 16-18 percent whereas it is 8-10 percent in China and 12 percent in Europe and the USA. That’s one of the problems with our exports since the costs are high. We are going to accept this challenge and reduce the logistics cost to 8-10 percent,” Gadkari said.
He said “time has come” to change the rules and regulations related to speed limits on expressways as access-controlled expressways were crucial to reduce fuel costs.
Stating that his ministry is equipped with enough funds, the minister announced the Centre’s decision to build 22 greenfield expressways across the country as road infrastructure was vital, including six in Andhra Pradesh.
“Ports, waterways are very important. Road construction is equally important. And, as far as development is concerned, we don’t want to discriminate anybody, because the country belongs to everybody,” he observed.