Bharatmala Project: 19,826 KM of Roads Completed

Government Pushes for Highway Development with Smart Technologies

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently informed the Lok Sabha that tremendous progress has been made in the Bharatmala Pariyojana. According to his written statement, work on 26,425 km of road projects has been awarded, and 19,826 km of work has already been completed. The Bharatmala project, initiated in 2017, focuses on enhancing road connectivity and logistics efficiency in the country.

Enhancing Road Connectivity Across the Country

The Bharatmala Pariyojana is designed to connect key regions, including tribal areas, aspirational districts, and regions affected by Left-Wing Extremism. It also focuses on reducing highway accidents and ensuring safer and more efficient transportation networks. Additionally, high-speed corridors will significantly reduce travel time between major economic centres, improving trade and business activities.

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

Focus on Road Safety and Smart Technologies

Nitin Gadkari emphasised that all National Highway (NH) projects follow the standards and guidelines set by the Indian Roads Congress. In addition, the roads are built according to the Specifications for Road and Bridge Works, ensuring quality and durability.

To enhance safety, the government has introduced strict guidelines for regular road safety audits. These audits are conducted during the design, construction, and pre-opening phases of new highway projects. The same safety measures apply to existing highways to reduce accidents and ensure safer travel.

The government is also integrating smart technologies into highway construction. Some of these advanced technologies include Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC), LIDAR, and drone-based analytics. These technologies improve efficiency, accuracy, and speed in road development projects.

PM Gati Shakti Initiative Supports Infrastructure Growth

In a separate response, Nitin Gadkari highlighted the role of the PM Gati Shakti initiative in accelerating infrastructure projects. So far, 115 NH and road projects covering about 13,500 km, with an investment of Rs. 6.38 lakh crore, have been examined using the PM Gati Shakti NMP Portal.

This initiative has improved planning and execution by streamlining project delivery. It has also reduced the time and cost involved in project design, alignment, and approvals, making the development process more efficient.

Government’s Commitment to National Highway Development

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for developing and maintaining highways. To ensure well-coordinated infrastructure growth, every highway project is planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

With continued efforts and the use of advanced technologies, the government is making rapid progress in expanding the national highway network, ensuring safer and faster connectivity across the country.

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