The government has set a provisional target of constructing 10,421 km of national highways for 2024-25, 15 per cent lower than 2023-24 achievements due to election-related delays in state clearances. From April to June 2024-25, 1,934 km of highways were constructed, compared to 2,250 km during the same period last year. The general election of 2024 has diverted district authorities’ focus, impacting the construction pace.
The National Highways Authority of India is tasked with 5,000 km of the total target, while the remaining will be managed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation and the ministry’s road wing. New highway project awards also slowed, with only 95 km awarded in the April-June quarter, down from 611 km in the same period of 2023-24.