The last decade has witnessed a remarkable surge in the construction of national highways across various states of India, marking a significant milestone in infrastructure development.
The data compiled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the CMIE Economic Outlook sheds light on the substantial growth witnessed in the total length of national highways, soaring by over 60% from 91,287 km in FY14 to 146,145 km in FY23. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to enhancing road infrastructure, reflected in the staggering increase in the budget for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The allocation soared by 879% from Rs 28,400 crore in FY14 to Rs 2.76 lakh crore in FY24, further bolstered by an allocation of Rs 2.78 lakh crore in the Interim Budget for FY25. Over the span of a decade, the NDA government has allocated a cumulative amount of Rs 10.65 lakh crore towards road transport and highways, underscoring its prioritisation of infrastructure development. Among the states, Maharashtra emerges as the frontrunner in national highway construction, boasting the addition of 12,210 km of new highways. With a robust NH network of 18,459 km, Maharashtra’s infrastructure landscape has witnessed a remarkable transformation. Following closely, Uttar Pradesh takes the second spot with 4,284 km of new highways, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 4,013 km.
Other states such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have also made significant contributions to national highway expansion, each witnessing substantial growth in their NH networks. This surge in national highway construction reflects the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth, enhancing connectivity, and improving overall infrastructure to propel India towards a more prosperous future. As the nation continues its journey towards comprehensive development, the strategic expansion of national highways remains a cornerstone in facilitating seamless transportation and driving socio-economic progress across regions.
