India’s transport sector has expanded more than threefold to reach Rs.23 lakh crore, while generating over 4.5 crore jobs, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said at the WION World Pulse event, underlining the sector’s growing role in driving the country’s economic momentum.

According to his remarks at the forum, the sector has grown significantly from Rs.7 lakh crore in 2014, reflecting the government’s sustained push on infrastructure development. Gadkari described transport as the backbone of India’s growth story, highlighting its contribution not just to employment generation but also to exports and overall revenue creation.

Placing India in a global context, the minister noted that the country has emerged as the third-largest transport industry in the world, overtaking Japan and trailing only the United States and China. He reiterated that India continues to be the fastest-growing major economy, guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a $5 trillion economy, with infrastructure playing a central role in achieving this target.

Gadkari also outlined the government’s policy direction for the sector, stressing the need for safer, pollution-free and sustainable transport systems. He emphasised that future growth must align with environmental priorities while maintaining efficiency and scale.

Citing a practical example, he referred to improvements at Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan, where targeted road expansion helped ease congestion, demonstrating how focused infrastructure interventions can significantly improve urban mobility.

The address reinforced the importance of transport infrastructure as a key multiplier for economic activity, employment generation and national competitiveness, positioning the sector as one of the strongest pillars of India’s growth trajectory.