In an exhilarating display of infrastructural prowess, India has dramatically transformed its road network, propelling it to the world’s second-largest. From a modest stretch of approximately 54,02,486 km in March 2014, the network has expanded to an impressive 63,31,791 km by March 2019. Spearheading this monumental task is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which has seen its budget balloon from Rs. 31,130 Crore in 2013-14 to a staggering Rs. 2,76,351 Crore in 2023-24. This injection of funds has supercharged the capital expenditure on National Highways (NHs), which soared from around Rs. 51,000 Crore in 2013-14 to over Rs. 2,40,000 Crore in 2022-23.
The NH network itself has grown by 1.6 times, from 91,287 km in March 2014 to 1,46,145 km at present, with a notable shift towards higher quality roads. The Ministry has proudly reduced the less than 2 lane NHs from 27,517 km to 14,350 km, while expanding the length of 4 lane and above NH network by more than 2.5 times, from 18,371 km in 2014 to 46,720 km.
A future-forward approach is now being taken with a focus on developing High-Speed Access controlled NHs to enhance the country’s logistics efficiency. The Ministry is also improving all NHs to at least two lanes with paved shoulders, except in ecologically sensitive areas like the Himalayan region.
In a remarkable feat of construction, 21 green field access-controlled corridors, including expressways, are under development, with about 3,658 km of work already completed. Several flagship projects have been completed and opened for traffic, such as parts of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the Amritsar-Bhatinda-Jamnagar stretch in Rajasthan, and the Suryapet – Khammam section of the Hyderabad-Vishakhapatnam route, to name a few.
Moreover, the Ministry has not only focused on expanding the road network but also on enhancing connectivity and logistics efficiency with the development of 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), 15 of which have been prioritized under BMP-I. Additionally, embracing green initiatives, about 3.46 crore trees have been planted since 2016, and innovative construction methods utilizing waste materials have been adopted, showcasing a commitment to sustainability.
The strategy behind these impressive achievements includes resolving stalled projects, promoting a healthy contractor’s ecosystem, employing new technologies, and leveraging innovative financing models. These efforts have significantly contributed to the overall economic growth and development, establishing a robust foundation for India’s infrastructural landscape.
In his address to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, shared these updates, illustrating the government’s dedication to transforming India’s roadways and supporting its journey towards becoming a global infrastructural powerhouse.
Year-wise details of constructed NH length during the last 9 years-
| Length in Km | Pace of NH Construction (km/day) | |||||
| Year | Strengthening etc. | 2 Lane | 4 Lane | 6/8 Lane | Total | |
| 2014-15 | 649 | 2,750 | 733 | 278 | 4,410 | 12 |
| 2015-16 | 802 | 3,970 | 1,010 | 279 | 6,061 | 17 |
| 2016-17 | 1,349 | 5,060 | 1,655 | 167 | 8,231 | 23 |
| 2017-18 | 2,446 | 4,868 | 2,199 | 316 | 9,829 | 27 |
| 2018-19 | 1,719 | 6,033 | 2,517 | 587 | 10,855 | 30 |
| 2019-20 | 862 | 6,031 | 2,728 | 616 | 10,237 | 28 |
| 2020-21 | 4,907 | 4,408 | 2,913 | 1,099 | 13,327 | 37 |
| 2021-22 | 2,790 | 3,704 | 2,798 | 1,165 | 10,457 | 29 |
| 2022-23 | 2,152 | 3,544 | 3,294 | 1,341 | 10,331 | 28 |
