New Delhi, June 14: India’s national highway network has seen a remarkable increase from 91,287 kilometers in 2014 to 146,572 kilometers by the fiscal year 2025-26. This represents a growth of 55,285 kilometers or 61 percent over the past 12 years, according to a fact sheet released by the government on Sunday.
The official fact sheet from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways further stated that the Bharatmala project and the development of expressways have enabled the country to achieve record speeds in road construction.
The fact sheet highlighted that the most significant change in the highway sector has been brought about by the Bharatmala project. This initiative, launched by the central government, aims to enhance the movement of goods and passengers across the country. Contracts for projects covering 26,425 kilometers have been awarded under this scheme, with 22,590 kilometers already completed. Approved by the Indian government in October 2017, the program aims to create a 34,800-kilometer-long national highway corridor, with an estimated expenditure of ₹5.35 lakh crore.
The Bharatmala project has significantly strengthened connectivity, reduced logistics costs, and improved access to remote and strategically important areas, thereby promoting economic growth, regional balance, and national unity.
In 2013-14, the average construction speed was approximately 11.6 kilometers per day, which has surged to about 34 kilometers per day by 2025. This substantial increase has improved connectivity between states and regions, facilitated faster movement of goods and services, expanded access to markets, and strengthened the country’s economic foundation.
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is among India’s largest highway infrastructure projects. Spanning approximately 1,386 kilometers and with an estimated cost of around ₹1 lakh crore, this project will become the country’s longest access-controlled expressway upon completion.
Connecting Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, this expressway will significantly enhance connectivity between major economic centers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first completed section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on February 12, 2023, which includes a 246-kilometer stretch from Delhi to Dausa-Lalsot, constructed at a cost of over ₹12,000 crore.
Subsequently, on February 22, 2024, the 87-kilometer Vadodara-Bharuch section in Gujarat was inaugurated. On June 5, 2026, the Prime Minister opened two additional segments in Gujarat: a 36-kilometer Kim-Aena section and a 27.5-kilometer Gandheva-Aena section. This project is expected to reduce travel time, enhance logistics capacity, and create new opportunities for industrial development, investment, and employment around the corridor.
The Delhi-Meerut Expressway has transformed connectivity in the National Capital Region by enabling faster, safer, and more efficient travel between Delhi and Meerut. Built at a cost of approximately ₹8,346 crore and spanning about 82 kilometers, this expressway has significantly reduced travel time for both passengers and businesses.
The Dwarka Expressway marks a significant milestone in urban transport infrastructure development in the National Capital Region. This project, approximately 29 kilometers long and costing around ₹9,000 crore, has greatly improved connectivity between Delhi and Gurugram.
The Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway has emerged as a crucial infrastructure project in South India. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12, 2023, this 118-kilometer expressway, built at a cost of approximately ₹8,480 crore, has reduced travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru from nearly three hours to about 75 minutes.
The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor is a remarkable example of engineering, showcasing India’s ongoing focus on creating a high-speed, efficient, and environmentally friendly national highway network. This six-lane access-controlled corridor, spanning 213 kilometers and costing ₹12,000 crore, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on April 14, 2026. It has reduced travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours to approximately 2.5 hours.
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