Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that a total of 26,425 km of Bharatmala projects have been awarded, with 19,826 km already constructed.
The ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana, which the central government approved in 2017, aims to transform India’s road infrastructure, improving both logistics efficiency and connectivity across the nation.
The Bharatmala Pariyojana is designed to focus on connecting tribal regions, aspirational districts, and Left Wing Extremist-affected areas.
It also seeks to reduce accidents and enhance road safety across highways, ensuring safer transportation networks.
In addition, the development of high-speed corridors will significantly reduce travel time between major economic hubs, fostering smoother and faster movement of goods and people.
High-Speed Corridors And Infrastructure Development
As of February 2025, the government has awarded 6,669 km of high-speed greenfield corridors under the Bharatmala project, with 4,610 km already completed.
These corridors will provide high-speed connectivity to various industrial hubs, National Master Plan (NMP) nodes, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), ports, and airports, helping boost economic activity across the country.
Minister Gadkari emphasized that the development of National Highways (NHs) follows rigorous standards, guidelines, and codes of practice set by the Indian Roads Congress.
The guidelines include specific provisions for road safety measures during design, construction, operation, and maintenance to ensure the highest safety standards.
Additionally, authorities conduct regular safety audits at different stages to ensure the ongoing safety of the NHs.
Innovative Technologies In Highway Construction
The highway development process has incorporated cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency and accuracy.
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Smart technologies, including Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC), LIDAR, and drone-based analytics, enhance various highway construction projects.
These innovations aim to improve construction quality and speed, streamlining and making the process more effective.
PM Gati Shakti: Accelerating Infrastructure Projects
In another update, Minister Gadkari discussed the ambitious PM Gati Shakti initiative, which has already examined 115 National Highways and road projects spanning approximately 13,500 km.
The total investment for these projects is Rs. 6.38 lakh crore. The initiative leverages the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) Portal and the Network Planning Group (NPG) for better planning and execution of infrastructure projects.
The PM Gati Shakti initiative has helped reduce the time and cost associated with project design, alignment, clearances, and approvals.
This has led to more streamlined project delivery, ensuring faster and more efficient execution of infrastructure projects across the country.
The Road Ahead: Building India’s Future
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways further plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of India’s National Highways.
The government plans all projects under the Bharatmala Pariyojana in line with the principles of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), which focuses on integrated and holistic infrastructure development.
With these initiatives, India is steadily advancing toward a more connected, safer, and efficient road network, paving the way for future growth and development.
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