The government has awarded highway projects covering 26,425 km under the Bharatmala Pariyojana scheme. As of October 31, 2024, 18,714 km of highways had been completed. Parliament received this information on Wednesday.
The Bharatmala Pariyojana, approved in 2017, aims to enhance connectivity and lower logistics costs. The scheme covers a total length of 34,800 km. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has invested ₹4.72 lakh crore in the scheme up to October 30, according to Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Port and Coastal Roads See Steady Progress
Under the Port and Coastal Connectivity Roads category, 18 projects covering 424 km have been awarded. Of these, 189 km have been constructed. These projects improve connectivity to ports across coastal states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Streamlined Processes for Faster Completion
The minister stated that 190 highway projects totaling 3,856 km are under construction, with a budget of ₹81,540 crore. All these projects are expected to finish by September 2028.
For the northeastern region, ₹19,338 crore was allocated for National Highways during the 2024-25 financial year. Steps to expedite these projects include faster land acquisition, streamlined dispute resolution, and early utility estimate approvals. Regular reviews and coordination with state governments ensure smoother implementation.
The government is also expediting the approval of project scope changes and time extensions.
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