The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has informed the Rajya Sabha that India’s flagship highway development programme has recorded significant progress, with over 22,200 Km of roads constructed across the country as of February 2026.
Highway Development Program Improving Connectivity
This is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana which was approved in 2017 with an overall target of 34,800 Km of highways with an estimated outlay of Rs 5.35 lakh crore.
The development was aimed at improving connectivity and reducing logistics costs nationwide.
In this project, which would be covering 26,425 Km have been awarded, its 22,223 Km have already been constructed hence marking significant physical progress under Phase-I.
Now the government is targeting the completion of the remaining around 4,200 km of highways under the programme by the end of FY27.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on the current status of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “Under the program, projects covering a total length of 26,425 km had been awarded and out of this, 22,223 km has already been constructed upto February 2026 with the balance length targeted for completion in Financial Year 2026-27.”
The new sanctions of projects under Phase-I of Bharatmala Pariyojana have been discontinued, said the minister.
Further adding that the new projects are sanctioned under National Highway (Original) Scheme on stand alone basis with the approval of Competent Authority considering requirement of connectivity, traffic density and project synergy with the principles of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP).
Making Pune Congestion Free
In another development, the Centre is planning a slew of road projects, including the country’s longest flyover, on national highways worth Rs 45,000 crore to make Pune congestion and pollution free.
Moving ahead, Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “I had told the state government that the Centre would work towards tackling traffic issues on highways in Pune and requested the state to exempt GST, bear cost of land acquisition and free royalty on construction material. I want to lay the foundation stone for four road projects and accordingly urged the state government to do the planning,” on Friday.
He said three of four projects will be developed by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) for the Centre, after reviewing highway works in Pune.
Further adding, “These projects will be jointly developed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and MSIDC.”
