National Highway Construction Achieves 34 Kilometers per Day Milestone in 2023-24

National highway construction rate in India in 2023-24 witnessed significant progress in its national highway (NH) construction, reaching a total length of approximately 12,300 kilometers. This impressive achievement translates to an average of nearly 34 kilometers constructed per day, marking the second-highest rate of NH construction in the nation's history. The highest record, so far, stands at 13,327 kilometers constructed in the fiscal year 2020-21, with an average of 36.5 kilometers per day.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), responsible for building and maintaining highways, achieved its maximum ever construction of NHs, reaching 6,644 kilometers against a target of 6,544 kilometers. This marks a substantial increase of around 20% compared to the previous fiscal year when NHAI built 5,544 kilometers of NHs. The increased highway construction efforts highlight NHAI's commitment to enhancing connectivity and mobility.

NHAI's capital expenditure in 2023-24 reached an all-time high, exceeding Rs 2 crore, representing a 20% increase compared to the fiscal year 2022-23. This upward trend in expenditure for highway development is expected to continue for the next decade before reaching saturation, reflecting government efforts to accelerate road development projects.

In response to the expanding highway network, the transport ministry has proposed the establishment of a dedicated Corridor Management Unit (CMU) within NHAI. Enhanced road connectivity for economic growth is at the forefront of this initiative, aiming to facilitate smoother transportation and boost overall development over the next decade. Projections indicate that the length of widened NHs will reach 89,900 kilometers by 2037 and 1.27 lakh kilometers by 2047, necessitating trained manpower to efficiently manage these stretches.