Road Infrastructure, Significance, Challenges, Initiatives

Road infrastructure forms the backbone of India’s transport and logistics network, supporting economic growth, regional integration, trade and social inclusion. India has the second-largest road network globally, spanning over 63.73 lakh km and carrying nearly 64.5% of freight and 90% of passenger traffic.

The road infrastructure has been strengthened through Bharatmala Pariyojana, PM Gati Shakti, National Infrastructure Pipeline and Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), e-challan systems and Rajmarg Yatra are driving technology-enabled highway management, complemented by India’s Stockholm Declaration commitment to reduce road fatalities. Together, these initiatives aim to create a safer, efficient, sustainable and globally competitive road transport ecosystem.

Road Infrastructure Overview

India has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its road infrastructure over the past decade, driven by large-scale investments, faster project execution, and innovative financing mechanisms. Roads remain the backbone of the country's transport system, supporting economic growth, regional connectivity, and logistics efficiency.

• World's 2nd Largest Road Network: India has a road network of 63.73 lakh km, carrying over 64.5% of freight and 90% of passenger traffic.
  • National Highways constitute only 2% of road length but handle over 40% of traffic.
• Rapid Highway Expansion: The National Highway network increased by 61%, from 91,287 km (2014) to 1,46,560 km (2025).
  • Expressways and the access-controlled high-speed corridors/motorways increased from 93 km in 2014 to 3,052 km at the end of 2025, registering a massive growth of about 3,180%.
  • The length of 4-lane and above National Highways, including access-controlled corridors, more than doubles from 18,371 km in 2014 to 43,512 km at the end of 2025.
• Faster Construction Pace: Highway construction accelerated from 12.1 km/day (FY15) to 29.2 km/day (FY25), with 10,660 km constructed in FY25, surpassing annual targets.
• Bharatmala Progress: As of March 2026, projects covering 26,425 kilometres had been awarded, while 22,590 kilometres had already been constructed.
• Digital Tolling & Financing: FASTag collections reached ₹72,931 crore in FY25, while the government monetised ₹1.52 lakh crore through TOT, InvIT, and securitisation models to fund new infrastructure.
• Strong Investment & Inclusive Connectivity: In the Union Budget 2026-27, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways received a record allocation of approximately ₹3.10 lakh crore.
  • Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE): Road development in the North Eastern states has been allocated ₹18,361 crore in 2026, financed through the National Investment Fund (NIF).
  • Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF): Provides dedicated funding for roads, bridges and other infrastructure; in 2025–26 (BE), ₹15,492 crore was allocated, with 64% for State/UT schemes, 30% for maintenance and 4% for road safety.

Road Infrastructure Significance 

Road infrastructure is the backbone of India's economic growth, social integration, and regional development. Improved road connectivity reduces logistics costs, enhances market access, generates employment, and promotes inclusive development across urban, rural, and strategic regions.

• Economic Backbone: Road transport contributes around 4% of GDP and carries nearly 65–67% of India's freight traffic, making it critical for trade, industry, and logistics.
• Expanding National Connectivity: The National Highway network strengthens interstate connectivity and economic integration.
• Major Employment Generator: NHAI highway projects created over 45 crore direct man-days and substantial indirect and induced employment, boosting livelihoods and economic activity.
• Rural Inclusion and Accessibility: Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, over 7.88 lakh km of rural roads have been constructed as of December 2025, improving access to education, healthcare, markets, and government services.
• Strategic and Sustainable Development: Enhanced connectivity in the North-East and border regions, along with initiatives such as the Green Highways Policy, tree plantation drives, and GNSS-based tolling, are promoting sustainable and smart transport infrastructure.

‹ ›

Road Infrastructure Government Initiatives

The Government of India has launched several flagship initiatives to strengthen road infrastructure, improve connectivity, enhance logistics efficiency, and support balanced regional development. These programmes aim to build a safe, resilient, and world-class road transport network.

Bharatmala Pariyojana

Bharatmala Pariyojana was launched in 2017 and is India's flagship highway development programme focused on developing economic corridors, border roads, coastal roads, and greenfield expressways. Its key features are

• The programme envisages the development of 34,800 km of highways at an estimated cost of ₹5.35 lakh crore.
• The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, India's longest access-controlled expressway, is the flagship project being implemented under Bharatmala.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

PMGSY, which was launched on 25 December 2000, is an important part of the rural road infrastructure. PMGSY aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to eligible rural habitations and improve rural accessibility. Its key features are

• The scheme has sanctioned 8.25 lakh km of rural roads, of which 7.88 lakh km have been completed, achieving nearly 95% physical progress as of December 2025.
• Under PMGSY-III, over 1.01 lakh km of roads have been completed, while PMGSY-IV (2024–29) targets connectivity to 25,000 habitations through 62,500 km of roads with an outlay of ₹70,125 crore.
• The PMGSY also promotes inclusive development by providing road connectivity to 2,636 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations, while receiving a budget allocation of ₹19,000 crore in FY2025–26.

Setu Bharatam Programme

Setu Bharatam was launched in March 2016 and aims to eliminate railway-level crossings on National Highways and strengthen bridge infrastructure to improve road safety and thereby road infrastructure. Its key features are

• The programme envisages the construction of 208 Road Over Bridges (ROBs)/Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and the rehabilitation of 1,500 bridges with an estimated investment of ₹50,000 crore.
• It has significantly improved highway safety by reducing accidents on upgraded stretches and continues to support bridge infrastructure through state-level projects.

Char Dham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana

The Char Dham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana was launched in December 2016; it seeks to provide all-weather connectivity to the four Himalayan pilgrimage sites while strengthening strategic road infrastructure. Its key features are

• The project envisages the development of 825 km of National Highways at an estimated cost of ₹12,595 crore, of which 629 km have been completed as of 2025, achieving nearly 76% physical progress.
• It enhances pilgrimage, tourism, disaster resilience, and strategic connectivity in the Himalayan region.

NHAI Asset Monetisation

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) mobilises private capital through Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model to finance new highway development. Its key features are

• NHAI has mobilised ₹28,307 crore in FY2025–26 against a target of ₹30,000 crore, taking cumulative monetisation through InvITs and Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) models to ₹92,633 crore.
• InvIT Round-5 monetised over 310 km of highways, generating ₹6,366.98 crore, while TOT Bundle-18 mobilised ₹3,087 crore. The listing of Raajmarg Infrastructure Investment Trust (RIIT) has further strengthened innovative infrastructure financing.

Delhi–Mumbai Expressway

Developed under Bharatmala Pariyojana, the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway is India's longest access-controlled greenfield expressway designed to transform freight movement and logistics. Its key features are

• The 1,380 km expressway spans six states (Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra) with 929 km already operational, while the remaining section is expected to be completed by March 2028.
• The expressway is expected to substantially reduce travel time and logistics costs while improving connectivity between major industrial and economic corridors.

National Infrastructure Pipeline

Road infrastructure accounts for 19% of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) capital expenditure. Core components include

• National Highways: Expanding, widening, and increasing lane capacity nationwide.
• Expressways: Constructing access-controlled, high-speed travel corridors.
• Economic Corridors: Connecting key industrial clusters and economic nodes.
• Urban De-congestion: Building bypasses and ring roads around cities.
• Public-Private Partnership Models: Leveraging private investment via Hybrid Annuity (HAM) and BOT models.

Road Safety & Global Commitments

India reaffirmed the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 in June 2025. (Stockholm Declaration)

• Road Accident Situation: In 2024, India recorded around 4.73 lakh accidents and 1.70–1.80 lakh deaths, with 66% of fatalities among 18–34-year-olds; around 7,000 black spots have been rectified.
• Rah-Veer & Cashless Treatment: These initiatives strengthen emergency response, Good Samaritan participation and post-accident medical care.
• Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS): Enables real-time traffic monitoring, incident detection and electronic enforcement through CCTV and AI-based Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System (VIDES).
• E-Challan: Between 2015 and January 2024, 30.83 crore e-challans were issued, with 11.79 crore disposed; ₹4,025 crore was the total challan value, of which ₹1,667 crore was collected.
• Rajmarg Yatra: Provides FASTag services, toll information, overspeeding alerts, complaint redressal and real-time highway information.

Road Infrastructure Challenges

Despite significant progress in road infrastructure over the last decade, several structural, financial, and governance challenges continue to hinder the sector's full potential. Addressing these bottlenecks is crucial for achieving efficient, safe, and sustainable connectivity.

• Land Acquisition Delays: Disputes over compensation, local resistance, and difficulties in obtaining Right of Way (RoW) remain the biggest causes of project delays and cost overruns in road infrastructure projects.
• High Debt Burden of NHAI: NHAI continues to face a debt burden of about ₹2.17 lakh crore as of Jan. 2026, limiting its capacity to finance new road infrastructure projects despite ongoing monetisation efforts.
• Road Safety Concerns: India recorded 4.80 lakh road accidents and 1.77 lakh fatalities in 2024, highlighting gaps in road infrastructure design, enforcement, and safety.
• Project Implementation Delays: Regulatory approvals, forest clearances, and inter-agency coordination issues often result in delays in project awards and completion.
  • Example: Ken Betwa River interlinking project.
• Maintenance and Quality Gaps: A large portion of highways require upgradation and regular maintenance, while funding constraints continue to affect road quality, especially at the state level.
• Environmental and Climate Challenges: Forest clearances, ecological concerns, landslides in hilly regions, and increasing climate-related risks pose significant challenges to sustainable road development.

Road Infrastructure Way Forward

As India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the focus is shifting from merely expanding road networks to developing smart, green, safe, and integrated road infrastructure systems. Technology adoption, sustainable financing, multimodal connectivity, and enhanced road safety will be key drivers of the next phase of growth.

• Expand High-Speed Corridors: Accelerate the development of 50,000 km of access-controlled corridors and expressways by 2047 under Bharatmala Pariyojana as part of Vision 2047, the National Expressway Network, and upcoming Greenfield Expressway projects to improve freight efficiency and regional connectivity.
• Strengthen Rural Connectivity: Fast-track PMGSY-IV, which aims to construct 62,500 km of rural roads, while enhancing connectivity through schemes such as PMGSY, Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), and last-mile linkages to markets, schools, and healthcare centres.
• Improve Border and Strategic Connectivity: Expand road infrastructure in remote and border regions through BRO projects, Project Himank, Project Arunank, and the Vibrant Villages Programme to strengthen national security and socio-economic integration.
• Promote Multimodal Logistics: Integrate highways with railways, ports, airports, and inland waterways through the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Bharatmala Economic Corridors, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), and Sagarmala Programme to reduce logistics costs and improve supply-chain efficiency.
• Enhance Innovative Financing: Scale up infrastructure financing through Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects, the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), and the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) to attract private capital.
• Advance Green and EV Infrastructure: Promote sustainable road construction under the Green Highways Policy, encourage the use of plastic waste, fly ash, and recycled materials, and expand EV charging infrastructure, electric highways, and green hydrogen transport corridors along major highways.
• Enhance Road Safety: Achieve the target of reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2030 through the 4E Strategy (Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care), supported by initiatives such as Setu Bharatam, black-spot rectification programmes, Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS), and strengthened trauma-care facilities.
• Focus on Regional Equity: Expedite projects under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the North-East (SARDP-NE) and other region-specific connectivity initiatives to bridge infrastructure gaps and promote balanced regional development.
• Smart & Modern Highway Infrastructure: Modernise highways through Bharatmala Phase-II, Setu Bharatam and digital asset monitoring, while leveraging AI, GIS, big-data analytics, FASTag and GNSS-based tolling for safer, resilient, efficient and seamless travel.