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India's Highway Push: 348 Projects to Finish in 2 Years Amid Delays

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari provided an update on national highway construction to Parliament. He stated that while 348 projects are delayed, most are expected to be finished within the next two financial years. The minister cited factors like increased land costs and design changes as reasons for the delays and cost overruns. He also emphasized that rigorous safety checks are conducted before any new highway is opened to the public.

Key Points: Gadkari Says 348 National Highway Projects to Complete in 2 Years

  • 348 national highway projects are delayed beyond their original completion schedule
  • Cost overruns are attributed to land compensation and design changes
  • Regular review meetings are held to resolve land and clearance issues
  • Road safety audits are mandatory before opening new highways to traffic
2 min read

348 National Highway projects under construction, most to be completed in next 2 fiscals: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari informs Parliament that most of the 348 delayed national highway projects are targeted for completion in the next two financial years.

"The government has put in place a framework using multiple mechanisms for monitoring project progress and contractor-related issues. - Nitin Gadkari"

New Delhi, Dec 10

While a few under-construction National Highway (NH) projects will spill over into 2027-28, most of the projects delayed beyond one year are expected to be completed in the current financial year and FY 2026-27, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told the Parliament on Wednesday.

According to Gadkari, there are 348 under-construction projects that have spilled beyond one year of their original completion schedule as per contract, without attaining any of the various stages of project completion and excluding projects for termination or foreclosure.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, the minister said cost overrun have been incurred in some of the National Highway (NH) projects due to various factors, like enhanced cost of compensation for land and structures, price escalation, increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST), additional facilities, like vehicular underpasses, passenger underpasses, service roads on public demand or otherwise, change in General Arrangement Drawing (GAD)/design for road over/under bridges to meet the Railway standards, etc.

“The government has put in place a framework using multiple mechanisms for monitoring project progress and contractor-related issues. Regular review meetings are conducted at various levels with stakeholders to assess project progress and resolve the site-related issues of land acquisition, material availability, clearances, etc," he said.

Gadkari added that all efforts are made to resolve all such pending issues, including contractor/concessionaire-related issues, in close coordination with the state governments and other stakeholders, to complete these projects.

Replying to another question, the minister said that National Highway works are carried out as per standards, guidelines, manuals, code of practice of Indian Roads Congress, as well as specifications for Road and Bridge Works.

Road Safety Audit is carried out for the independent assessment of newly constructed roads before opening them to commercial traffic. All identified road safety issues, including those related to road signage and markings, are addressed before the road is opened to the public, said the minister.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the intent is good, the constant delays and cost overruns are concerning. The reasons given - land cost, GST, design changes - seem like recurring issues. Shouldn't there be better initial planning? Taxpayers' money is involved.
R
Rohit P
The focus on Road Safety Audit is the most important part. We build world-class roads but then have poor signage and markings. If they are truly fixing these before opening, it will save countless lives. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
Working on a project in Tamil Nadu. The coordination with state governments is often the biggest hurdle. Glad to see it's being acknowledged. Hope this translates to faster clearances on the ground.
V
Vikram M
348 projects delayed by over a year is a huge number. But if Gadkari sir says most will be done in 2 fiscals, I believe him. His ministry has delivered visible progress. The new highways are transforming connectivity in rural areas too.
K
Kavya N
Adding underpasses and service roads based on public demand is a good step. Often projects ignore local needs. Hope this approach continues. Faster completion will reduce the daily chaos we face near construction zones.

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