The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has requested Cabinet permission for an investment of Rs 22 trillion in a highway construction plan that would cover around 30,600 km by 2031?2022, in a major push for infrastructure development. The plan, which was discussed last week with all major ministries and submitted to the finance ministry, calls for the construction of 18,000 km of high-speed corridors and motorways, the decongestion of 4,000 km of national highways around cities, and the creation of strategic and international roadways. About one-third of the funds will come from private sources. The ministry has asked for an increase in funding allocation for project execution of 10% every year. Later on, the financial estimate for developing 28,400 km in the second phase will be ascertained. According to the schedule, phase 2 stretch sanctioning and awarding will be finished by 2036?37.

The ministry outlined how it evaluated GSTN data, including the transfer of goods from one location to another, and included the transportation of freight by rail while planning the construction of NH and motorways. According to an examination of GSTN statistics, in 2021?2022, roads carried around 73% of freight, with railroads carrying about 23% of the total. Additionally, the statistics indicated that 82% of goods moved over 350 km and 62% of commodities carried over 600 km were transported by road. After it is finished, trucks on the national highway network will drive at an average speed of 85 kmph instead of the present 47 kmph. In the US, the average speed on roads is more than 100 kmph. High-speed routes have been determined to guarantee that these sections are reachable in a radius of 100?150 km from every location in India. There are now just 3,900 km of high-speed routes in use; by 2026?2027, that number is anticipated to increase to around 11,000 km.