India’s National Highways Grow 60% in a Decade, Now World’s Second Largest Network
Government Pushes Infrastructure Growth with High-Speed Corridors, Logistics Parks, and Safety Initiatives
NEW DELHI: In a significant milestone, the length of 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. This achievement makes India the second-largest road network globally, as highlighted in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ year-end review.
The growth is attributed to initiatives like the Bharatmala Pariyojana and collaborations with global organizations like the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Asian Development Bank (ADB). High-speed corridors have also seen remarkable development, increasing from 93 km in 2014 to 2,474 km in 2024.
The government has approved eight key National High-Speed Corridor projects spanning 936 km at a cost of ₹50,655 crore, expected to generate 4.42 crore man-days of employment. Additionally, ₹46,000 crore is being invested to develop 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), aimed at enhancing cargo handling and connectivity with ports under the Sagarmala Pariyojana.
Under the Toll Operate and Transfer (TOT) model, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has monetized multiple highway bundles, raising ₹42,334 crore to date. The Hyderabad-Nagpur corridor stretch of NH-44 in Telangana was awarded for ₹6,661 crore for 20 years.
Safety measures are also being prioritized. Blackspot rectification on highways is underway, and the government is formulating a scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims. Tourist vehicle operators now benefit from a streamlined All India Tourist Permit Module, simplifying interstate travel.
Landmark infrastructure projects inaugurated this year include the ₹980 crore Sudarshan Setu Bridge (Okha-Beyt Dwarka Signature Bridge), which connects Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island, and serves as a tourist attraction in Devbhumi Dwarka.
Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities have also been established across 19 states and UTs, with 66 more under construction, supporting the government’s environmental goals.
With improved connectivity and a focus on safety and sustainability, India’s highways are paving the way for economic growth and modernization.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
