India is embarking on an ambitious plan to upgrade its national highway infrastructure, aiming to enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and bolster economic growth across the nation. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the government will upgrade 25,000 kilometers of two-lane highways to four lanes at an estimated cost of ₹10 trillion. Additionally, 16,000 kilometers of national highways will be expanded to six lanes, with a budget of ₹6 trillion. These projects are expected to be completed within two years and play a crucial role in reducing road accidents across the country.
Between April 2023 and January 2024, the share of four-lane and above highway stretches constructed in India reached its highest-ever level, with nearly 43% of all national highway stretches built during this period falling under this category. This marks a significant shift towards building wider highways and expressways to meet the growing traffic demand. The annual construction of highways with more than four lanes has tripled compared to 2013-14, reflecting the government’s focus on enhancing the country’s road infrastructure. The Times of India
The government’s commitment to infrastructure development is further evidenced by the approval of eight National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects with a total length of 936 kilometers at a capital cost of ₹50,655 crore. These projects aim to improve logistics efficiency, reduce congestion, and enhance connectivity across various regions. Notable projects include the six-lane Agra-Gwalior corridor, the four-lane Kharagpur-Moregram corridor, and the six-lane Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad corridor. The implementation of these projects is expected to generate an estimated 4.42 crore mandays of direct and indirect employment. The New Indian Express
In regions like Jammu & Kashmir, ongoing road construction projects worth ₹2 trillion are in progress, with 105 tunnels being built to improve connectivity. Among these projects, the Zojila tunnel is a major highlight. Designed to be the longest tunnel in Asia located in a sub-zero temperature zone, it was initially estimated to cost over ₹12,000 crore but will now be completed at approximately ₹5,500 crore. Additionally, the Jammu-Srinagar Highway is undergoing significant upgrades, including the construction of 36 tunnels, with 22 already completed. Once fully developed, the highway will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to just three to three and a half hours from the current seven hours. Business & Finance News
The northeastern region is also set to benefit from improved connectivity. The approved Guwahati Ring Road project, for instance, will provide seamless connectivity to long-distance traffic plying on National Highway 27, which serves as the gateway to the Northeast. The project includes the construction of a major bridge over the Brahmaputra River and aims to ease congestion on major national highways around Guwahati, connecting key cities and towns in the region. The New Indian Express
These infrastructure initiatives are part of the broader Bharatmala Pariyojana, India’s largest infrastructure program aimed at developing about 35,000 kilometers of national highway corridors, connecting over 580 districts across the nation. The program represents a paradigm shift to a corridor-based approach for infrastructure development, focusing on optimizing routes to reduce transit time and enhance logistics efficiency. The Hindu
The government’s emphasis on infrastructure development is also evident in the rapid pace of national highway construction, facilitated by a significant increase in budgetary allocation—from ₹31,130 crore in 2013-14 to ₹2.8 lakh crore for 2024-25. The overall investment in the highway sector, which includes private investment, has risen from ₹59,135 crore in 2013-14 to ₹2.23 lakh crore in 2023-24. This substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to building world-class road infrastructure to support economic growth and improve the quality of life for its citizens. The Times of IndiaThe New Indian Express
In conclusion, India’s comprehensive plan to upgrade its highway infrastructure through extensive widening and expansion projects is set to transform the nation’s transportation landscape. By enhancing connectivity between cities and remote areas, reducing travel time, and improving road safety, these initiatives are poised to stimulate economic growth and contribute to the overall development of the country.
