India Decentralises Highway Project Prioritisation For Faster Growth
India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is embarking on a pivotal policy shift, empowering states to prioritise national highway projects within their jurisdictions. This decentralised approach aims to significantly fast-track infrastructure development, addressing persistent delays and bottlenecks that have hindered progress. The strategic realignment is poised to unlock faster, more equitable growth, fostering enhanced connectivity and economic vibrancy across the nation.
The imperative for this new strategy stems from the considerable challenges faced by India’s burgeoning highway network. Despite an impressive 60 percent expansion since 2014, growing from 91,287 kilometres to 146,195 kilometres by 2024, a substantial 44 percent of major infrastructure projects, including national highways, continue to experience delays. These impediments range from complex land acquisition processes and protracted statutory clearances to encroachment issues, law and order concerns, and instances of suboptimal contractor performance, collectively impeding the pace of development.
To circumvent these traditional roadblocks and accelerate the construction of national highways, the Ministry has introduced a novel framework. Instead of centrally assigning projects, each identified state will now be presented with a portfolio of highway projects and granted the autonomy to determine which ones they wish to undertake first. This devolution of decision-making power is a strategic move, recognising the unique ground realities and local expertise inherent at the state level.
The underlying rationale for this shift is straightforward: state administrations are often better equipped to navigate the intricacies of land acquisition, facilitate the rehabilitation of affected communities, and secure necessary local clearances. By granting states greater control over project sequencing, the Ministry anticipates a more streamlined and expedited rollout of infrastructure, particularly for projects where preliminary groundwork is already substantially complete. This collaborative model is expected to enhance efficiency and responsiveness in project execution.
While this new model holds immense promise for accelerating infrastructure growth, its success is contingent upon states rising to the occasion with judicious decision-making. The onus is now on state governments to leverage their intimate knowledge of regional priorities while ensuring balanced development and resisting any undue political influence in project selection. If implemented with integrity and a focus on long-term public benefit, this paradigm shift can pave the way for more robust and equitable infrastructure expansion.
Ultimately, a thriving highway network is indispensable for a growing economy, not merely for the efficient movement of goods and people, but also for spurring local development, creating employment opportunities, and fostering regional integration. This strategic decentralisation contributes to the national vision of creating zero net carbon, eco-friendly, sustainable, and gender-neutral cities by improving accessibility, reducing logistical costs, and promoting inclusive economic participation across all regions.