Synopsis
As of March 15, 2023, under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, contracts for constructing 26,425 km of highways have been awarded, with 19,826 km completed. This initiative aims to enhance transportation safety and connectivity across various regions.Key Takeaways
- Contracts awarded for 26,425 km of highways.
- 19,826 km of highways completed.
- Bharatmala Pariyojana enhances logistics efficiency.
- Investment of Rs. 46,000 crore for 35 MMLPs.
- Adoption of AI-MC and drone technology.
New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) Contracts have been awarded for the construction of highways spanning 26,425 km across the nation under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. So far, 19,826 km of these highways have been successfully completed, as per the information presented in the Lok Sabha.
The Bharatmala Pariyojana aims to enhance logistics efficiency and connectivity throughout the country, focusing on areas such as tribal regions, aspirational districts, and those affected by Left Wing Extremism, while also aiming to reduce highway accidents and ensure safer transportation systems. This information was conveyed by Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, in a written response to the Lower House earlier this week.
As of February this year, 6,669 km of high-speed greenfield corridors have been awarded, with construction completed on 4,610 km.
The adoption of various Smart Technologies, including Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC), LIDAR, and drone-based analytics, is being implemented in highway construction, as stated by the minister.
The length of India’s National Highway network has increased by 60 percent in the past decade, rising from 91,287 km in 2014 to 146,195 km in 2024, making it the second-largest road network globally, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
As part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, MoRTH plans to establish a network of 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) with a total investment of approximately Rs. 46,000 crore. Once operational, these parks will be capable of handling around 700 million metric tonnes of cargo. MMLPs at 15 prioritized locations will be developed with an investment of about Rs. 22,000 crore.
These MMLPs will function as regional cargo aggregation and distribution hubs for diverse industrial and agricultural nodes, consumer markets, and EXIM gateways like seaports, featuring multi-modal connectivity. In some instances, MMLPs are being created alongside Inland Waterway Terminals under the Sagarmala Pariyojana to significantly lower the costs associated with inland cargo movement compared to traditional road transport, as detailed in the statement.
To guarantee sufficient last-mile connectivity to all operational ports throughout the country, MoRTH has formulated a comprehensive Port Connectivity Masterplan aimed at promoting industry and internal trade. This plan identifies connectivity needs, leading to the selection of 59 critical infrastructure projects spanning approximately 1,300 km for implementation, according to an official announcement.
