Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari declared on Monday that a potent mix of innovation, unwavering quality, collective hard work, and divine grace has propelled India to secure multiple world records in national highway construction. Addressing a special event virtually from Puttaparthi, Gadkari commended the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for clinching four prestigious Guinness World Records during the development of the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor (NH-544G) in Sri Sathya Sai district.
Divine Blessings and Engineering Marvel
"With the blessings of Bhagawan Sathya Sai, we have been able to achieve these world records," stated Gadkari. He emphasized the government's relentless endeavor to construct national highways at an accelerated pace without any compromise on quality. The minister extended his congratulations to the engineers, workers, and officials whose dedication made this historic achievement possible.
These records, according to Gadkari, are a clear testament to India's growing focus on embracing innovation and modern construction methodologies. He spotlighted groundbreaking new technologies, specifically mentioning the development of bitumen derived from rice straw (parali). Gadkari urged the state of Andhra Pradesh to actively collaborate in adopting such sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for future projects.
The Pillars of Success: Skill, Innovation, and Leadership
The Union Minister stressed that skill development, inventive thinking, and intellectual contributions are fundamental to reducing costs, enhancing quality, and implementing pollution-free methods in infrastructure creation. He lauded the Andhra Pradesh government for its exceptional cooperation and swift execution of works, noting that the visionary leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was instrumental in reaching these milestones.
Describing Naidu as a leader deeply committed to public welfare and development, Gadkari thanked him for providing full support to the project. He also reaffirmed the Central government's readiness to consider and approve proposals presented by the Chief Minister for the state's progress.
Record-Breaking Feats and Economic Impact
Expressing regret for not being able to attend the event in person, Gadkari underlined India's position as one of the world's fastest-growing economies. He stated that reducing the cost of transportation and logistics to below 9 per cent is crucial for sustaining this growth trajectory and improving economic outcomes.
The Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor, upon completion, is anticipated to drastically cut travel time and bolster economic connectivity between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The four Guinness World Records include:
- Two records set on January 6, 2026: Laying 28.95 lane-km and 10,675 metric tonnes of bituminous concrete continuously within 24 hours.
- Two more records set on January 11, 2026: Laying a massive 156 lane-km and 57,500 metric tonnes of bituminous concrete continuously on Packages 2 and 3 near Puttaparthi.
Executed using state-of-the-art machinery and under stringent quality controls, these monumental achievements powerfully underscore India's advanced engineering capabilities in delivering sustainable, high-speed infrastructure on a global scale.
