The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in a statement informed that it has substantially increased its capital expenditure over the past five years, underscoring the government’s dedication to enhancing the national highways network and infrastructure. 

This boost in spending, combined with timely maintenance, has expanded the National Highways (NH) network from approximately 91,287 km in March 2014 to around 1,46,126 km as of July 25, 2024. 

Road network expansion

In the past five years, NHAI has constructed 24,050 km of national highways, generating approximately 45 crore man-days of direct employment, 57 crore man-days of indirect employment, and 532 crore man-days of induced employment. 

A central element of this initiative is the Bharatmala Pariyojana, which includes projects in categories such as Economic Corridors Development, Inter-corridor and Feeder Routes Development, National Corridors Efficiency Improvement, Border and International Connectivity Roads, Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads, and Expressways. 

Under this flagship program, 26,425 km of roads have been awarded and 17,411 km have been constructed as of March 2024, with an expenditure of Rs. 4.59 lakh crore.

Additionally, NHAI has undertaken 5 Expressways and 22 Access Controlled Highways, totaling 9,860 km, with an approved or estimated project cost of Rs. 4,19,130 crore as greenfield corridors.

The Ministry is actively working to expedite the award of new NH projects, holding regular meetings to ensure the availability of necessary clearances and approvals and to meet all preconditions.