News Brief
India’s Biggest Highway Push Advances — Over 19,200 km Out Of 26,425 km Awarded Projects Under Bharatmala Pariyojana Completed
Highway (Source: Twitter/ Nitin Gadkari)
The Bharatmala Pariyojana, India’s biggest highway development initiative, continues to progress at a steady pace, with 19,201 km of highways completed as of 31 December 2024, the government has informed the Parliament.
Approved by the government in 2017, the project aims to construct 34,800 km of roads across the country to improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs, and support economic growth.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, a total of 26,425 km of road projects have been awarded under the scheme, with an estimated capital cost of Rs 8.54 lakh crore.
"As on 31.12.2024, projects with a capital cost of Rs.8.54 lakh crore covering a total length of 26,425 km have been awarded and out of this, 19,201 km has already been constructed under Bharatmala Pariyojana," Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
The awarded projects include multiple components such as economic corridors, inter-corridor routes, feeder routes, national corridors, expressways, border roads, and port connectivity roads.
Economic corridors account for 8,737 km, while expressways cover 2,422 km, and border roads and international connectivity roads total 1,619 km.
According to the minister, a study conducted by IIM Bangalore to evaluate the impact of Bharatmala Pariyojana has indicated improvements in household income, logistics efficiency, and access to markets.
"The preliminary findings of study conducted by IIM, Bangalore to evaluate the impact of Bharatmala Pariyojana indicates positive effects across multiple sectors. Economically, household income and expenditure have increased, along with a rise in car sales. Logistics efficiency has improved with reduced costs. Businesses have benefited from better access to markets and factories. Socially, travel time to schools and healthcare facilities has decreased, enhancing accessibility. Overall, the study suggests that Bharatmala Pariyojana has significantly contributed to socio-economic growth," the minister said.
He added that the Bharatmala project envisaged improvement in the logistics efficiency and connectivity in the country including connectivity to tribal, aspirational and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts.
He added that development of corridors will reduce the travel time substantially between key economic centres.
"The projects under implementation are targeted for completion by financial year 2027-28," the minister added.
