India's national highway system has experienced remarkable growth over the past ten years. The network has expanded dramatically, now ranking as the second-largest in the world. Current figures show a total length of 146,560 kilometers. This represents a substantial increase from the 91,287 kilometers recorded in 2014. The expansion amounts to over 61 percent growth in just one decade.
Major Infrastructure Push Drives Expansion
The significant growth primarily results from focused efforts to construct high-speed corridors and four-lane highways. These projects form part of the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana initiative. Government authorities now plan to shift their attention to access-controlled highways for the next phase. This new approach will incorporate greater technological integration and sustainability measures during construction.
Substantial Budget Allocation for Road Development
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has received a substantial budget allocation for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The ministry will work with more than Rs 2.87 lakh crore. Within this budget framework, officials have identified a pipeline of projects spanning 13,400 kilometers. These projects will utilize the public-private partnership model for development.
Industry estimates suggest these PPP projects will involve investments worth approximately Rs 8.3 lakh crore. Authorities plan to roll out these initiatives over the coming three years. The ministry also prepares to launch a public infrastructure investment trust called Raajmarg InvIT. This financial instrument will bring around 1,500 kilometers of completed national highways to the market within three to five years.
Challenges Persist Despite Impressive Growth
The highway sector continues to face several significant bottlenecks despite this impressive expansion. Project approval processes have slowed considerably in recent times. Quality concerns and timely execution issues remain persistent problems. Developers highlight the requirement to complete 80 percent of land acquisition before commencing work as a major hurdle.
Cost overruns and contractual disputes present additional challenges that require attention. Industry experts suggest several measures for Budget 2026 to address these issues. Recommendations include creating an umbrella scheme to accelerate approval processes. Continuing with capital expenditure approvals and establishing a clear roadmap for higher monetization also feature prominently in these suggestions.
Industry Proposals for Infrastructure Development
The Confederation of Indian Industry has put forward a specific proposal to address sector challenges. The industry body suggests establishing a National Infrastructure Guarantee Corporation. This proposed entity aims to improve investor confidence across infrastructure projects. The corporation would work to reduce financing costs for major developments. Additionally, it would help unlock stalled projects currently facing implementation delays.
India's highway expansion represents one of the most significant infrastructure achievements in recent years. The network growth demonstrates substantial progress in connecting the nation. Future plans indicate continued focus on developing world-class road infrastructure through innovative funding models and technological integration.
