Bharatmala Projects: 19,826 km of Roads Built So Far, Says Gadkari.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that 19,826 km of roads have been constructed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana out of the 26,425 km awarded so far.

Approved by the central government in 2017, the Bharatmala Pariyojana aims to enhance logistics efficiency and connectivity, particularly in tribal, aspirational, and Left Wing Extremist-affected districts, while also ensuring safer transportation networks by reducing accidents on highways. The development of high-speed corridors is expected to significantly cut travel time between key economic centers.

Progress on High-Speed Greenfield Corridors

As of February 2025, a total of 6,669 km of high-speed greenfield corridors have been awarded, with 4,610 km already completed. These corridors will provide seamless connectivity to industrial hubs, National Master Plan (NMP) nodes, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), ports, and airports.

Safety and Technological Advancements in Highway Construction

Gadkari emphasized that National Highway (NH) projects adhere to the standards and guidelines set by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and the Specification for Road and Bridge Works. To ensure road safety, guidelines have been issued for regular safety audits at different stages, including design, construction, pre-opening, and maintenance.

Several smart technologies are being integrated into highway construction, including Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC), LIDAR, and drone-based analytics to enhance efficiency and quality.

PM Gati Shakti Initiative Driving Infrastructure Growth

In a separate statement, Gadkari highlighted the impact of the PM Gati Shakti initiative, revealing that 115 National Highway and road projects spanning 13,500 km, with an investment of ₹6.38 lakh crore, have been reviewed using the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) Portal and examined by the Network Planning Group (NPG).

The Bharatmala and Gati Shakti initiatives are expected to transform India’s road infrastructure, improving connectivity, reducing travel time, and boosting economic growth.

ET