The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plays a pivotal role in the development and upkeep of India’s National Highways (NHs). It is actively addressing the challenges involved in maintaining and expanding the extensive road and rail networks across the country. The infrastructure sector, known for driving economic growth, significantly contributes to India’s progress.
Over the years, the average Annual Budgetary Allocation of the Ministry has observed a substantial increase, rising by more than 940% from approximately Rs. 25,872 Crore per year during 2009-14 to about Rs. 2,70,435 Crore for the fiscal year 2023-24. The expansion of the 4 Lane plus NH network, including High-Speed Corridors, has seen a remarkable growth of over 250%, increasing from about 18,371 km in March 2014 to about 46,179 km presently. Concurrently, the length of less than 2 Lane NHs has decreased significantly, now constituting only about 10% of the NH network.
The Ministry has initiated work on 21 green field access-controlled corridors, including expressways, with completed work covering approximately 3,336 km. A specific mechanism has been formulated to ensure the Maintenance and Repair (M&R) of all NH sections through accountable maintenance agencies.
Regarding the expansion of the rail network, the average Annual Budget Outlay for New Line, Gauge Conversion, and Doubling Projects across Indian Railways has surged by over 480% from about Rs. 11,527 Crore/year during 2009-14 to about Rs. 67,199 Crore during 2023-24. There are 459 Railway Infrastructure Projects (189 New Line, 39 Gauge Conversion, and 231 Doubling) in the planning, approval, or construction stage, totaling a length of about 46,360 km and an approximate cost of Rs. 7.18 Lakh Crore.
From 2014 to 2023, approximately 25,871 km length of Railway sections (comprising 5,785 km New Line, 5,749 km Gauge Conversion, and 14,337 km Doubling) have been commissioned.
Furthermore, the development of the BS-6 Stage-II ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV)’ prototype aligns with India’s move toward alternative fuel mobility solutions. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, provided this comprehensive information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.