Lok Sabha Question No. 2427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Construction of National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  National  Highways  constructed  in  the  last  financial year as compared to previous years;
- (b)  the  major  reasons for  the  delay in  the  Bharatmala project and the revised timeline set by the Government for its completion;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government  to expedite land acquisition for pending National Highway projects;
- (d) the number of expressway projects currently under construction and their estimated completion timeline; and
- (e)  the  measures  being  implemented to ensure timely maintenance of existing highways and prevent accidents caused by potholes?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)     The length of National Highways (NHs) constructed during the last five financial years i.e. from 2019-20 to 2023-24 is Annexed.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2427

## ANSWERED ON 13 th  MARCH 2025

## CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

2427. SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (b)      There have been delays in implementation of some projects under Phase-I  of  Bharatmala  Pariyojana  due  to  delays  in  pre-construction activities including Land Acquisition (LA), financial difficulties faced by contractors, force majeure events, and scarcity of construction materials,  etc.  To  overcome  these  challenges  and  expedite  project execution,  the  Government  has  undertaken  various  initiatives.  These include streamlining and expediting land acquisition process, revamping Parivesh Portal to facilitate faster forest and environmental clearances,  enabling  online  approval  of  GAD  of  ROB/RUB  from  the Railways,  and  conducting  review  meetings  at  various  levels  with  all stakeholders, including State Governments. The Government is taking all necessary steps for timely completion of these projects. The revised timeline for completion of balance ongoing works is Financial Year (FY) 2027-28.

New sanctions under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I were halted with effect from 16th November, 2023.

- (c) Government has taken steps to streamline land acquisition process by leveraging the mechanism of review and resolution of bottlenecks/hindrances in ongoing projects, in active collaboration with the State Governments and other stakeholders. Also making full efforts to expedite the availability of necessary clearances / approvals and the fulfilment of conditions precedent, for new projects.
- (d)  Under  Bharatmala  Pariyojana,  5  expressways  spanning  2,504  km were envisaged. Of which, 2,417 km has been awarded and 1,842 km has been constructed till February, 2025 with some sections operational.
- (e) The development and maintenance of NHs is a continuous process. The  Government  has  prioritized  maintenance  of  existing  NH  network and  inter-alia  evolved  a  mechanism  to  ensure  Maintenance  &  Repair (M&R) of all NHs sections through accountable maintenance agency.

The  M&R  of  stretches  of  NHs,  where  development  works  have commenced or Operation, Maintenance and Transfer (OMT) Concessions/  Operation  and  Maintenance  (O&M)  Contracts  have  been awarded,  are  the  responsibility  of  the  concerned  Concessionaires/

Contractors  till the  end  of  the  Defect  Liability Period  (DLP)/  the Concession Period. Similarly, for NHs stretches undertaken under TOT (Toll Operate and Transfer) and InvIT (Infrastructure Investment Trust), M&R responsibility  lies  with  concerned  Concessionaire  till  the  end  of the Concession Period.

For  all  remaining  sections  of  NHs  stretches,  Government  has taken  a  policy  decision  to  undertake  maintenance  works  through Performance  Based  Maintenance  Contract (PBMC)  or Short  Term Maintenance Contract (STMC).

Repair of identified defects / issues in the road condition as well as other maintenance / repair works are completed by the Contractor / Concessionaire within the stipulated timeline as per provisions of the Contract. Compliance is ensured through penalty provisions incorporated  in  the  Contract  documents  for  action  against  defaulting Contractor / Concessionaire.

ANNEXURE ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2427 ANSWERED ON 13.03.2025 ASKED BY SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS The length of National Highways (NHs) constructed during the last five financial years i.e. from 2019-20 to 2023-24

| Year    | Length Constructed (in km)   |
|---------|------------------------------|
| 2019-20 | 10,237                       |
| 2020-21 | 13,327                       |
| 2021-22 | 10,457                       |
| 2022-23 | 10,331                       |
| 2023-24 | 12,349                       |

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