New Delhi, The Bharatmala highway development program is set for an early withdrawal as the government shifts focus to an ambitious Vision 2047. This vision involves constructing up to 50,000km of access-controlled highways and expressways, according to Anurag Jain, the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The toll revenue from national highways reached ₹18,450 crore by December, falling short of the FY24 target of ₹24,977 crore. The new strategy involves abandoning the Bharatmala program, initiated six years ago, in favor of building extensive access-controlled highways across the country.
Jain emphasized that the development of expressways is crucial for the next phase of infrastructure growth. These expressways are expected to facilitate faster travel, reduce fuel consumption, and lower logistics costs.
Initially approved in 2017, the Bharatmala Pariyojana aimed to construct 34,800km of highways in its first phase, linking existing road infrastructure and enhancing connectivity to industrial corridors. The second phase, involving over 5,000km of access-controlled highways with a total investment of about ₹3 trillion, was expected to receive approval in 2023.
Now, it is anticipated that all pending Bharatmala projects will be withdrawn, and a fresh cabinet note will be presented for the Vision 2047 plan. This new plan will identify road alignments, complete detailed project reports (DPRs) for greenfield projects, and incorporate elements of the Bharatmala program, focusing on a nationwide network of expressways.
Jain highlighted the progress, stating that the length of high-speed corridors (access-controlled) has risen from 353km in 2014 to 3,913km presently. Responding to concerns about the slowing pace of highway construction, he mentioned that more than 6,217km of roads were completed by December 2023, surpassing the achievements of the same period the previous year.
Additionally, Jain outlined plans for the standardization of wayside amenities along highways, with new guidelines in the works. Over 400 wayside amenities are proposed to be awarded by the end of the current fiscal year. Satellite-based tolling is also set to commence on 10-15 stretches by March this year, with plans for expansion based on pilot project experiences.
The government aims to enhance the award pipeline substantially, targeting about 10,000km of awards in the upcoming year. The implementation of these strategic changes reflects the government’s commitment to advancing infrastructure development and addressing evolving transportation needs.
