Ministry of Road Transport Achieves Significant Expansion, NH Network Surges to 146,145 km
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, tasked with the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs), has witnessed a significant expansion of the NH network in India. Since March 2014, the NH network has grown from approximately 91,287 km to an impressive 146,145 km.
Focusing on the development of High-Speed Access Controlled Corridors and a 4 Lane Road network, the Ministry aims to enhance economic growth through improved logistics efficiency. The length of the 4 Lane plus NH network, including High-Speed Corridors, has surged from 18,371 km in March 2014 to 46,179 km.
Notably, 21 greenfield access-controlled corridors, encompassing expressways, have seen progress, with approximately 3,336 km of work already completed.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, affirming the Ministry's commitment to transforming and expanding the national highway network.
An emphasis on upgrading less than 2 Lane NHs to a minimum of 2 Lane/2 Lane with Paved Shoulder has resulted in a decrease in length from 27,517 km in March 2014 to 14,870 km.
The Ministry's commitment to improving logistics efficiency is reflected in the identification of 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) for development as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana (BMP), with 15 MMLPs prioritised under BMP-I.
Year-wise details of constructed NH length over the past nine years illustrate the Ministry's sustained efforts, with the pace of NH construction steadily increasing. Capital expenditure has seen a substantial rise, climbing from about Rs. 51,000 Crore in 2013-14 to over Rs. 2,40,000 Crore in 2022-23, contributing significantly to the country's economic growth and progress towards achieving a five trillion-dollar economy.
The Ministry has also embraced green initiatives, planting approximately 3.46 crore trees since 2016 and incorporating sustainable practices like utilising municipal waste for embankment construction and waste plastics in Bituminous construction. The adoption of key strategies, including resolving stalled projects, promoting a Contractor’s Ecosystem, streamlining land acquisition processes, and adopting innovative financing models, has played a pivotal role in achieving this remarkable growth.
The Ministry's commitment to sustainable development and infrastructure enhancement underscores its crucial role in propelling India's economic growth.
