The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has constructed 56,700 kilometres of National Highways (NHs) in India over the past decade. As we enter 2025, the focus is now on enhancing the quality of highway construction and maintenance, rather than just expanding the network. This shift aims to ensure safer and more efficient highways for road users.
Enhancing India’s National Highways: Focus on Quality and Accountability
The length of India’s National Highways (NHs) has grown from 0.91 lakh km to 1.46 lakh km since 2013-14, greatly enhancing national connectivity. However, stretches such as Delhi-Jaipur (NH-48) and the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor have faced criticism for poor quality. In response, MoRTH, under the leadership of Highways Secretary V Umashankar, has pledged to prioritize quality in upcoming highway projects.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has consistently emphasized the need for accountability in highway construction. To uphold high standards and transparency, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented a performance rating system for concessionaires. These ratings will be assessed every six months and made publicly available online.
Infrastructure Advancements: Expressways, Toll Systems, and Maritime Development
In 2025, the completion of major expressways like the Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Dehradun, and Bengaluru-Chennai expressways is expected to enhance travel speed, smoothness, and reduce congestion. Additionally, the ministry is focusing on corridor-based development to improve logistics efficiency and user convenience. A study using GSTN and toll data has identified 50,000 km of high-speed highway corridors, with 4,827 km set to be operational by the end of the fiscal year.
MoRTH also plans to implement a satellite-based interoperable system for barrier-free toll collection, aimed at improving travel efficiency. In addition to advancing road infrastructure, India is making significant investments in the maritime sector, focusing on shipbuilding and port development, including the Vadhavan Port, which will strengthen the country’s maritime ecosystem.
MoRTH’s Vision: Setting New Benchmarks in Transportation Infrastructure
MoRTH is set to establish new benchmarks for India’s transportation infrastructure through these initiatives, focusing on a combination of quality, technology, and sustainability to drive future growth.
