Lok Sabha Question No. 5381 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Robust Road Infrastructure
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government realizes that the country needs robust road  infrastructure  for  attracting  capital  investment  from  both domestic and foreign sources; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) and (b) Infrastructure sector is the prime mover of the economy and  contributes  to  the  faster  economic  growth  and  development. The  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways  is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways  (NHs).  NH  network  length  in  the  country  has  increased from 91,287 km in March, 2014 to 1,46,204 km at present.

Budgetary allocation has increased from about ₹31,130 crore in  2013-14  to  ₹3,00,019  crore  in  2024-25.  Capital  expenditure  on NHs has been significantly  increased  from  about  ₹51,000  crore  in 2013-14 to ₹3.01 Lakh crore in 2023-24. With increased budgetary allocation over the years, quality of roads has improved substantially. Length of 4 lane and above NH network has increased

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5381 ANSWERED ON 03 RD  APRIL, 2025

## ROBUST ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

5381.   SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

by 2.5 times from about 18,371 km in 2014 to about 48,430 km. Also, proportion of less than 2-lane NHs has decreased from 30% to 9% of the  total  NH  network.  National  High  Speed  Corridors  (HSCs)  / Expressways in about 2,474 km length have already been operationalized. The above developments have increased the connectivity  and  accessibility  to  the  NHs  across  the  country  and also increased the logistics efficiency.

Key strategies adopted/employed by the Government to achieve growth and improvement of NH network in the country are as under:-

- i. Government resolved the inherited stalled projects (till 201314)  by  close  monitoring  at  the  highest  level  and  also  by suitable policy interventions like one  time  fund  infusion, substitution, termination & repackaging etc.
- ii. Promotion  of  Contractor's  Ecosystem  by  rationalising  the projects and contract documents
- iii. All  project  planning  including  preparation  of  Detailed  Project Report (DPR) mandated under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) Portal
- iv. Award  projects  after  adequate  preparation  in  terms  of  land acquisition and preconstruction activities
- v. Simplified procedure for approval of GAD (General Arrangement Drawing) by Railways
- vi. Streamlining land acquisition process
- vii. Adoption of new technologies and continuously upgrading the standards and specifications
- viii. Raising resources from innovative financing models etc.
- ix. Relaxations in contract provisions under "Atmanirbhar Bharat" to improve liquidity of funds
- x. Revamped dispute resolution mechanism
- xi. Portal based project monitoring leading to early resolution  of issues
- xii. Periodic reviews of projects at various levels

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