Highways Transformation: Powering India's Journey Towards Viksit Bharat

📌 Summary:

• The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) marked 12 years of road-infrastructure transformation supporting Viksit Bharat
• Bharatmala Pariyojana (approved October 2017): 34,800 km of National Highway corridors at a ₹5.35 lakh crore outlay; as of March 2026, 26,425 km awarded and 22,590 km constructed
• The National Highway network grew from ~91,287 km (2014) to over 1,46,572 km (FY2025-26) — a nearly 61% increase
• Construction pace rose from ~11.6 km/day (2013-14) to ~34 km/day (2025); an IIM Bangalore study found NH development cut average logistics costs
• The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (~1,386 km, ~₹1 lakh crore) is set to become India's longest access-controlled expressway, linking Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat and Maharashtra

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Economy — infrastructure, logistics efficiency, regional connectivity and inclusive growth.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Bharatmala Pariyojana approved October 2017; 34,800 km; ₹5.35 lakh crore outlay
• NH network: ~91,287 km (2014) → 1,46,572 km (2025-26)
• Delhi–Mumbai Expressway ~1,386 km — to be India's longest access-controlled expressway

🔑 Key Term: Bharatmala Pariyojana — umbrella highway development programme covering economic corridors, border and coastal roads, and port connectivity.