Record Growth: Annual Construction Of Wide Highways Surges Threefold Since 2013

In the fiscal year 2019-20, government data reveals a significant shift in priorities towards the construction of wider highways and expressways.

The annual rate of construction for highways boasting more than four lanes has tripled in comparison to figures from 2013-14, as per a report by Times of India.

According to the report, there has been a notable increase in the construction of highways with four lanes or more, rising from 1,332 km in 2013-14 to 4,635 km in 2022-23.

Over the past decade, the length of national highways (NHs) with less than two lanes has decreased from 27,517 km in March 2014 to 14,300 km presently.

Officials anticipate surpassing last year's record, attributing the surge in highway completion to the optimal construction conditions during January to March.

Recognising highways as vital arteries for swift vehicular movement, officials advocate for four-lane carriageways, particularly in plain terrains, to accommodate increasing traffic demands.

However, in regions with lower traffic volumes like hills, two-lane roads suffice.

With a heightened government emphasis on enhancing transport infrastructure to curtail logistics costs, the forthcoming phase of highway development will prioritise the construction of expressways and access-controlled stretches.

The Road Transport Ministry aims to elevate the current length of highways with four lanes or more from 47,000 km to 75,000 km by 2030, while also converting all NHs to at least two-laned highways within the same timeframe.

This accelerated pace of national highway construction is facilitated by a substantial increase in budgetary allocations, surging from Rs 31,130 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2.8 lakh crore for 2024-25.

Moreover, overall investment in the highway sector, including private contributions, has risen from Rs 59,135 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2.23 lakh crore in 2023-24.