India Unveils ₹10 Trillion Highway Upgrade Plan
The Indian government has launched a massive infrastructure initiative, announcing a ₹10 trillion investment over the next two years aimed at transforming the country’s highway network. The plan is designed to elevate India’s road infrastructure to meet international benchmarks, with particular focus on enhancing connectivity across border and northeastern regions.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari outlined the government’s vision to bring Indian highways on par with those in the United States. The emphasis is on creating world-class road networks with improved quality, speed, and safety standards.
₹10 Trillion Investment
As part of this initiative, a total of 784 highway projects have been lined up across eastern states, spanning 21,355 kilometers with an estimated budget of ₹3.73 trillion. The investment breakdown includes:
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₹57,696 crore for Assam
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₹90,000 crore for Bihar
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₹42,000 crore for West Bengal
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₹53,000 crore for Jharkhand
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₹58,000 crore for Odisha
In addition, projects worth nearly ₹1 trillion have been proposed for the Northeast, excluding Assam, for the current year. A pilot project involving a 135-seater mass rapid transport bus powered by clean energy is underway in Nagpur. If successful, this model will be expanded to routes like Delhi-Jaipur and other key urban corridors.
Nitin Gadkari Infrastructure Vision
Minister Gadkari highlighted the remarkable growth of India’s National Highway network, which has increased from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km in 2025. Furthermore, the share of highways with less than two lanes has drastically reduced from 30% to just 9%, indicating a significant improvement in road capacity and quality.
In the fiscal year 2024–25 alone, the National Highways Authority of India constructed 5,614 kilometers of highway—exceeding the annual target of 5,150 kilometers. The initiative marks a pivotal shift in India’s infrastructure strategy, aiming to spur economic development, improve logistics, and provide safer, faster road transportation nationwide.
