Kochi, Feb 21 (UNI) Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Friday announced that 31 new road infrastructure projects worth Rs 50,000 crore, covering 896 km in Kerala, would be undertaken aiming to enhance Kerala’s connectivity and boost economic growth.
Addressing Kerala’s key economic sector ‘Tourism’ at the Invest Kerala Global Summit here, Gadkari noted that tourism contributes 6.5% to India’s GDP, supporting 3.4 crore jobs.
By 2034, the sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to reach 7.6%, with the potential to create 6.5 crore jobs, Gadkari, who attended the meeting virtually said.
In his address, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, expressed India’s remarkable growth trajectory, stating, “India is contributing 16 percent of global economic growth. We have moved from being the 11th largest economy to the 5th largest in the past 10 years.”
“By 2027, estimates suggest that India will be the third-largest economy in the world. And how can Kerala be left behind when India is progressing at this brink and speed with the opportunities that Kerala Offers Whether it is tourism, manufacturing, or logistics, in every sphere, Kerala is at the forefront of development.”
He also praised Kerala’s entrepreneurial spirit, referring to the Cochin International Airport, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. He recalled the unique venture where 12,000 NRI shareholders came together to invest Rs 300 crore for the airport’s establishment, showcasing the entrepreneurial excellence of Keralites.
