The Bharatmala Project is making significant progress, with 19,826 km of highways completed out of the total 26,425 km awarded under the scheme. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, provided this update in a written reply to the Lok Sabha earlier this week, according to TOI.
Approved by the central government in 2017, the Bharatmala Project aims to enhance logistics efficiency and connectivity across India. The initiative focuses on improving road networks in tribal areas, aspirational districts, and regions affected by Left-Wing Extremism. Additionally, it aims to make highways safer by reducing accidents and ensuring smoother transportation.
Faster Travel Times: The construction of high-speed corridors is significantly reducing travel time between major economic centres.
Enhanced Industrial Connectivity: Various industrial hubs, National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) nodes, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), ports, and airports are being connected with high-speed road networks.
Safer Roads: The government is prioritising road safety by implementing necessary safety measures at all project stages, from design to maintenance.
As of February 2025, a total of 6,669 km of high-speed greenfield corridors have been awarded, with 4,610 km already completed.
Regarding National Highways (NHs), construction is being carried out in compliance with the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards, guidelines, and specifications for road and bridge works. Nitin Gadkari emphasised that regular safety audits are conducted at various stages of highway projects, including design, construction, and pre-opening phases.
"Necessary road safety measures are taken during design, construction, operation and maintenance stages. Further, Guidelines have been issued for regular safety audit of all NHs at design, construction, pre-opening stage of NH projects as well as on existing NHs for ensuring road safety," Minister Gadkari said.
The Bharatmala Project is incorporating advanced construction technologies to ensure efficiency and precision. Some of the modern technologies being used include:
In addition to the Bharatmala Project, the government is leveraging the PM Gati Shakti initiative for better planning and execution of road projects. So far, 115 NH/road projects covering approximately 13,500 km, worth Rs 6.38 lakh crore, have been reviewed under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP). This approach has streamlined project execution by reducing delays related to alignment, approvals, and clearances.
The Bharatmala Project is a game-changer for India's road infrastructure. With a focus on faster travel, industrial connectivity, and road safety, it is set to transform India's highway network. As more roads are completed, the benefits of seamless transportation and economic growth will become even more visible.
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