Bharatmala on the Fast Track: Over 19,800 Km of Highways Built

Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, contracts have been awarded for constructing 26,425 km of highways across India, with 19,826 km already completed, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha.

The initiative aims to enhance logistics efficiency, improve connectivity to tribal and aspirational districts, and reduce highway accidents, ensuring safer transportation networks. In a written reply, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari highlighted that, as of February 2024, 6,669 km of high-speed greenfield corridors have been sanctioned, with 4,610 km completed. The project integrates smart technologies such as AI-assisted construction, LIDAR, and drone-based analytics.

India’s National Highway network has expanded by 60% over the past decade, growing from 91,287 km in 2014 to 146,195 km in 2024, making it the second-largest road network globally, as per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

As part of Bharatmala Pariyojana, MoRTH is developing 35 multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) with a total investment of ₹46,000 crore, aimed at handling 700 million tonnes of cargo. Of these, 15 priority locations will receive ₹22,000 crore in funding. These MMLPs will serve as regional cargo hubs, linking industrial zones, agricultural regions, and EXIM gateways such as seaports through multi-modal connectivity. Some will also integrate with Inland Waterway Terminals under the Sagarmala Pariyojana, helping reduce inland cargo transport costs.

To strengthen last-mile connectivity to operational ports, MoRTH has developed a Port Connectivity Masterplan, identifying 59 critical infrastructure projects covering 1,300 km for implementation, according to an official statement.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.