Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi government has a US$ 240 billion (Rs. 20 lakh crore) highway plan to double the travel speed to nearly 90 kmph across the country
- IBEF
- December 21, 2023
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct and expand around 41,000 km of national highways, including 15,000 km of high-speed, access-controlled corridors, by the fiscal year 2031-32. This visionary initiative is expected to require an estimated investment of US$ 234.4 billion (Rs. 19.5 lakh crore). According to a report by TOI, the proposed master plan envisions the bidding for initial phase projects by 2028-29, with completion anticipated by 2031-32.
Upon implementation, this program aims to nearly double the average travel speed on the National Highway (NH) network from the current 47 kmph to an impressive 85 kmph. A comparison with international standards reveals that the average travel speed on highways in the US exceeds 100 kmph, while in China, it stands at 90 kmph. The government aims to reduce logistics costs to 9-10% of the GDP, down from the current 18%, with this substantial increase in speed. Specific high-speed corridors have already been identified to ensure accessibility within 100-150 km from any part of India, strategically planned to alleviate congestion in and around cities and urban areas. The Ministry foresees the need for approximately 50,000 km of high-speed corridors to meet these objectives, with only 3,900 kilometers currently operational and projections indicating a rise to around 11,000 kilometers by 2026-27.
Recognizing the substantial gap, new high-speed corridors covering 36,500 kilometers have been earmarked to address congestion issues. Over the next two decades, the primary focus will be on the construction of four and six-lane highways, according to official sources.
This ambitious proposal represents a significant stride in enhancing India's transportation infrastructure, aligning with the government's vision for robust economic development and reduced logistics costs.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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