The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has put forward an extensive program aimed at constructing and expanding approximately 41,000 km of national highways, including 15,000 km of high-speed, access-controlled corridors, by the fiscal year 2031-32. The implementation of this visionary plan is estimated to necessitate an investment of Rs 19.5 lakh crore, a TOI report stated.
Under the proposed master plan for highway development, the initial phase projects are scheduled for bidding by 2028-29, with completion anticipated by 2031-32.
Once finalized, this initiative is poised to nearly double the average travel speed on the National Highway (NH) network from the existing 47 kmph to an impressive 85 kmph. A comparison reveals that the current average travel speed on highways in the US exceeds 100 kmph, while in China, it stands at 90 kmph. The government envisions that this significant increase in speed will contribute to achieving the goal of reducing logistics costs to 9-10 per cent of the GDP, down from the current 18 per cent.
Sources indicate that specific high-speed corridors have already been identified to ensure accessibility within 100-150 km from any part of India. This strategic planning also aims to alleviate congestion on highways in and around cities and urban areas. The Ministry's assessment suggests that approximately 50,000 km of high-speed corridors will eventually be required to meet these objectives.
Presently, only 3,900 kilometers of high-speed corridors are operational in the country, and projections indicate that by 2026-27, this figure will rise to approximately 11,000 kilometers. Acknowledging this substantial gap, new high-speed corridors covering 36,500 kilometers have been earmarked to address congestion issues. Looking ahead, the focus over the next two decades will be predominantly on the construction of four and six-lane highways, according to official sources.
This ambitious proposal marks a significant step towards enhancing India's transportation infrastructure and aligns with the government's vision for robust economic development and reduced logistics costs.
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