The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has made significant strides in advancing economic corridors across the country, unlocking value from its assets to supplement public resources and propel the growth of India’s infrastructure. The ambitious plan in the last budget promised that government funds for the development of various economic corridor projects would be disbursed to the MoRTH. As the government is all set to announce the interim budget on February 1, 2024, let’s dive into the details –
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What are economic corridors?
Economic corridors encompass interconnected infrastructure networks strategically designed to foster economic development within a specific geographical region. These corridors facilitate the connection of diverse economic entities within the designated geographic area.
Economic corridors progress in Assam
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has achieved noteworthy progress in the development of economic corridors, particularly in Assam. From April 2021, a total of 214 km of National Highway (NH) projects, with a capital investment of Rs. 1,892 crore, have been successfully completed.
Furthermore, ongoing NH initiatives covering 829 km, with a combined cost of Rs. 31,384 crore, are currently in the implementation phase. Looking forward, the ministry aims to award projects encompassing 1,772 km, with a total capital expenditure of Rs. 45,090 crore, by the fiscal year 2024-25. To further enhance road infrastructure, additional economic corridors are in the planning stage.
Key National Highway projects in Assam
- 4-Lane connectivity to Itanagar: 166 km awarded at a cost of Rs. 5,481 crore, with 162 km completed.
- 4-Laning of Numaligarh – Dibrugarh: 183 km awarded at a cost of Rs. 5,653 crore, with 129 km completed.
- 4-lane bridge over Brahmaputra river between Dhubri and Phulbari on NH 127B (19 km at a cost of Rs 4,997 crore): Physical Progress.
Economic corridors progress in Tamil Nadu
The Ministry reports commendable progress in Tamil Nadu, with NH works covering 776 km, involving a capital cost of Rs. 7,476 crore, completed since April 2021. Concurrently, ongoing projects extending over 1,949 km, with a total cost of Rs. 54,566 crore, are currently under implementation. Furthermore, there are plans to award projects covering 1,934 km, with a total capital cost of Rs. 81,393 crore by 2024-25.
“In line with the commitment to boost road infrastructure, the Ministry envisions the implementation of 3,500 km of National Highway works in Tamil Nadu, representing an investment of Rs. 1.03 lakh crores, with the Madurai-Kollam and Chittoor Thatchur corridors set to commence construction next year,” the ministry had said in an announcement.
Upcoming corridor projects in Tamil Nadu
- Chittoor-Thatchur corridor (116 km): All packages awarded, expected completion by FY 2025-26.
- Madurai-Kollam corridor (199 km): Tirumangalam-Rajapalayam section (72 km at the cost of Rs. 1,672 crore) awarded in March – 2022.
Economic corridors progress in Kerala
The Ministry has successfully completed NH works spanning 57 km, involving a capital cost of Rs. 909 crore, in Kerala since April 2021. Simultaneously, projects covering 833 km, with a total cost of Rs. 60,764 crore, are currently under implementation. Plans for the future include awarding projects covering 1,292 km, with a total capital cost of Rs 59,285 crore by 2024-25.
“In an effort to bolster road infrastructure, additional economic corridors are being planned, with 1,100 km of National Highway works in Kerala at an investment of Rs. 65,000 crores, including a 600 km section of the Mumbai-Kanyakumari corridor in Kerala,” the ministry had said in an announcement.
Key corridor project in Kerala
- Mumbai-Kanyakumari Corridor (691 km, Rs. 59,156 crore): Out of 663 km in Kerala, 583 km awarded; 159 km completed.
Economic corridors progress in West Bengal
The Ministry reports substantial progress in West Bengal, completing NH works spanning 615 km, with a total capital cost of Rs. 9,461 crore, since April 2021. Concurrently, projects covering 580 km, with a total cost of Rs. 18,157 crore, are currently under implementation. Future plans encompass awarding projects covering 1,613 km, with a total capital cost of Rs. 46,367 crore by 2024-25.
“Continuing the commitment to reinforce road infrastructure, the Ministry outlines plans for 675 km of highway works in West Bengal, amounting to a cost of $25,000 crores, including the upgradation of the existing road-Kolkata-Siliguri,” the ministry had said in an announcement.
Key corridor project in West Bengal
- Kolkata-Siliguri Corridor: 279 km constructed before Bharatmala Pariyojana; four-lane widening of 123 km at the cost of Rs. 4,663 crore is currently under construction with expected completion by FY 2024-25.