What is the target length for the development of a national highway network in India by 2025?

The correct answer is 2 lakh km.

Key Points

• The Government of India has set a target to develop a 2 lakh km national highway network by 2025 under its infrastructure development plan.
• The initiative is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, launched to improve road connectivity across India.
• It aims to enhance the efficiency of freight and passenger movement through the development of economic corridors, inter-corridors, feeder routes, and border roads.
• This ambitious project focuses on reducing travel time, fuel consumption, and logistics costs, contributing to India's economic growth.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is overseeing the implementation of this target.

Additional Information

• Bharatmala Pariyojana:
  • Bharatmala Pariyojana is a centrally-sponsored road and highway development initiative launched in 2017.
  • The scheme focuses on building a robust highway infrastructure, including economic corridors, rural roads, and expressways.
  • A budget of approximately ₹5.35 lakh crore was allocated for the first phase of Bharatmala Pariyojana.
  • The program is expected to cover around 34,800 km of roads in Phase I.
• Economic Corridors:
  • Economic corridors are routes designed to facilitate efficient movement of goods and services across regions.
  • They link production centers, markets, and ports to boost trade and industrial growth.
  • The development of such corridors under Bharatmala aims to reduce logistics costs and enhance supply chain efficiency.
• National Highway Authority of India (NHAI):
  • NHAI is an autonomous agency under MoRTH responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of India's national highways.
  • It plays a pivotal role in implementing large-scale highway projects, including Bharatmala Pariyojana.
  • NHAI uses innovative financing methods, such as toll-operate-transfer (TOT) and hybrid annuity models, to fund infrastructure projects.
• Future Impacts:
  • The expansion of the national highway network will significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity in remote areas.
  • It is expected to boost tourism, trade, and industrial growth across the country.
  • The project will create thousands of jobs and contribute to India's GDP growth.