India’s Expanding Highway Network Paves Road to Viksit Bharat@2047, Says MoS Harsh Malhotra
New Delhi, July 18: India is rapidly advancing toward the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 with a firm focus on building world-class road and transport infrastructure, said Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways Harsh Malhotra while addressing the Road and Highways Summit in Delhi on Friday.
Highlighting the government’s achievements over the past 11 years, the minister said the National Highways (NH) network has grown from 91,000 km in 2014 to over 1.46 lakh km in 2025, making it the second-largest road network in the world. He emphasized that these roads are more than just physical infrastructure—they are “lifelines of progress” connecting people, industries, and opportunities.
“The ministry is committed to creating infrastructure that drives economic growth, ensures safety, and enhances sustainability for all,” said the minister. He noted that government spending on road infrastructure has increased 6.4 times between 2013–14 and 2024–25, while budget allocation for the sector has gone up by 57% since 2014.
Economic and Employment Impact
Malhotra said road development has become a major driver of employment and inclusive growth. Infrastructure projects have generated 45 crore man-days of direct employment, 57 crore man-days of indirect employment, and 532 crore man-days of induced employment over recent years.
In the North Eastern Region, more than 10,000 km of National Highways have been constructed in the past decade, reflecting the government’s commitment to regional connectivity and development.
Decongesting Delhi: Expressway Extensions and Tunnel Projects
The minister outlined the Delhi Decongestion Plan, which includes major expressway extensions and a new tunnel to ease traffic flow and reduce pollution. Key components include:
Extension of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (NE-5) to connect KMPE with UER-II (NH-344M)
Extension of UER-II to Delhi-Dehradun Expressway (NH-709B)
Construction of a road tunnel linking Dwarka Expressway near Shiv Murti Mahipalpur to Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj
Road Safety, Green Initiatives, and Sustainability
The Ministry has made road safety a top priority, rectifying 14,000 accident-prone blackspots and implementing programmes like the Good Samaritan Scheme and the Cashless Golden Hour Scheme.
On environmental sustainability, the minister highlighted:
4.78 crore trees planted under initiatives like Green Highways Policy and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
Use of over 80 lakh tonnes of plastic waste in highway projects such as UER-II and Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway
Fly ash from thermal power plants being reused in construction to reduce dependence on raw materials
Roadside Amenities and Future Goals
The ministry is also developing over 700 Wayside Amenities (WSAs) by 2028–29 to provide clean restrooms, food, rest areas, fuel stations, and EV charging points to improve commuter experience.
In conclusion, Malhotra said, “Every rupee invested in highway development yields a threefold return to the GDP, unlocks vast employment, and opens multiple revenue channels. We are not just building roads—we are laying the foundation for a prosperous, peaceful, and resilient Bharat.”
