The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing India’s logistics infrastructure through the Master Plan of National Highways. This strategic blueprint aims to revolutionize transportation by incorporating expressways and high-speed corridors, fostering more efficient and seamless movement of goods across the country.
During a Lok Sabha session on Thursday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed concerns raised by Coimbatore MP K Subbarayan and Nagapattinam MP Selvaraj V about the status of the Bharatmala Pariyojana scheme. Contrary to speculation, Gadkari clarified that the flagship project has not been suspended. Instead, it continues to progress robustly, with a cumulative length of 26,425 km of highways awarded under the scheme, out of which 18,180 km has already been completed.
Gadkari emphasized the integration of the Master Plan of National Highways with the PM GatiShakti Framework. This initiative leverages a comprehensive transportation model that analyzes data from e-way bills (GST), tolls, and traffic surveys to optimize logistics. The focus is on developing access-controlled roads, ensuring high-speed and uninterrupted transit, which is crucial for boosting the logistics sector.
The ministry provided detailed insights in response to a query about the current status of national highways. India boasts a total of 1.46 lakh km of national highways, with 48,422 km being more than four-laned, 84,705 km two-laned, and another 13,000 km less than two-lane. Additionally, there are 969 national highways across various states.
The ministry also highlighted the progress in enhancing highway infrastructure, with lighting facilities provided along 25,400 km of national highways. This includes 105 km in the state of Assam, ensuring safer and more efficient travel.
The reaffirmation of the Bharatmala Pariyojana and the introduction of the Master Plan of National Highways underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to transforming India’s logistics landscape. These initiatives are poised to significantly reduce transit times, lower logistics costs, and boost economic growth by improving the efficiency and reliability of the country’s transportation network.
