Skip to main content

India’s highways plan to link the country

India is working on a master plan that will boost transport across the country. This calls for the construction of a grid pattern of highways, with the concept strongly influenced by the US interstate system. The four-lane, national highway corridors plan has been developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This envisages a total of 27 highways set out on a grid pattern and with a total length of 36,600km, with north-south and east-west routes spaced some 250km apart. The plan calls for
June 15, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
India is working on a master plan that will boost transport across the country. This calls for the construction of a grid pattern of highways, with the concept strongly influenced by the US interstate system. The four-lane, national highway corridors plan has been developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This envisages a total of 27 highways set out on a grid pattern and with a total length of 36,600km, with north-south and east-west routes spaced some 250km apart.

The plan calls for building new links as well as upgrading existing routes and widening them to four lanes. The national highways network currently extends for some 30,100km in all, but only 18,800km are so far of the four lane configuration called for in the master plan. Upgrading all the national highways and building the extra routes required is expected to cost in the order of US$3.73 billion.

Related Content

  • India’s highway financing programme planned
    November 30, 2016
    A budget of US$8.97 billion has been set as the limit on borrowing for India’s highways development programme for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The financing agreement has been made by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), acting through the country’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This substantial budget comes in spite of fewer projects being awarded as well as less financing having been secured during 2016. In the April to October 2016 the NHAI awarded contracts for 2,330km of highways.
  • India pushing ahead with infrastructure projects
    July 4, 2012
    Despite the economic downturn, India looks to be pressing ahead with its major infrastructure projects to further boost its incredible growth. Patrick Smith reports India, which like most countries has been affected by the current economic climate, although not to the same extent, is pressing ahead with its ambitious highway construction plans. Each week new projects are completed, started or awarded as the nation seeks to improve its transportation requirements. These are needed to meet the aspirations of
  • India’s longest tolled expressway is open to traffic
    January 2, 2013
    Earlier this year, a new expressway was opened to traffic in India, adding connectivity to the country’s road network - Mike Woof reports. India’s economic growth has fuelled a massive construction boom in the country. Road building has been set as a priority by the Indian Government to help ensure continued economic development and improve connectivity between major population centres. One major new expressway has recently opened to traffic, having been designed to international standards and provides insi
  • India rushing to improve its highway system
    February 9, 2012
    Despite the world economic slowdown, India still seems in a rush to improve its highway system as Patrick Smith reports. Later this year India will be seen by hundreds of millions worldwide when the country's capital New Delhi hosts its biggest event ever.