The Bharatmala Pariyojana, a Modi government’s flagship road network expansion program, has significantly advanced India’s infrastructure development. As of March 31, 2024, the initiative has awarded contracts for 26,425 km and constructed 17,411 km of roads, with an expenditure of Rs 4.59 lakh crore. The project covers 34,800 km across 31 states and union territories and over 550 districts.
24,050 km of NHs constructed in last 5 years
Over the past five years, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constructed 24,050 km of national highways, generating an estimated 45 crore man-days of direct employment, 57 crore man-days of indirect employment, and 532 crore man-days of induced employment. This robust job creation underscores the socio-economic benefits of the program.
Additionally, NHAI has initiated the development of five expressways and 22 access-controlled highways, spanning a total of 9,860 km, with an approved project cost of Rs 4.19 lakh crore.
Bharatmala Pariyojana completion timeline
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has projected that the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I will be completed by 2027-28. This timeline reflects delays and budget overruns that have affected the project, with a revised financial proposal currently under review.
Plan to develop 26,000 km of economic corridors
Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in June 2017, the Bharatmala Pariyojana aims to construct approximately 26,000 km of economic corridors. The project includes 8,000 km of interstate corridors and 7,500 km of feeder routes, designed to support the majority of road freight traffic alongside the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South and East-West Corridors.
Project budget and funding
Initially estimated to cost Rs 6,92,324 crore, the Bharatmala Pariyojana has exceeded its budget due to rising project and land acquisition costs. Funding sources include the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund cess (Rs 2,37,024 crore), remittances (Rs 46,048 crore), additional budgetary support (Rs 59,973 crore), national highway monetisation (Rs 34,000 crore), Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources (Rs 2,09,279 crore), and private sector investment (Rs 1,06,000 crore). The revised financial proposal is pending approval due to these cost increases.