85 National Highway Projects Delayed By Over Three Years

28 Mar 2026 CW Team

The government has undertaken various initiatives to prevent recurrence of delays and cost escalations and to strengthen project delivery mechanisms. It has sought to enhance coordination between agencies and to streamline clearance processes, the reply added. Contractors have been urged to accelerate work where feasible and administrative measures have been introduced to monitor progress. The ministry emphasised the need for early resolution of land and utility disputes to reduce further slippages.

Delays of this magnitude have implications for project costs, regional connectivity and planned economic benefits, and they can affect investor confidence in infrastructure delivery. The ministry indicated that enhanced project monitoring and periodic review panels have been employed to identify bottlenecks and impose corrective steps. There was recognition that complex statutory and social issues require time consuming remedial action and that a balance must be struck between fair compensation and timely acquisition. Officials also noted that addressing encroachment and legal challenges remained a priority.

The reply in the Upper House did not provide project specific timelines for completion but reaffirmed a commitment to reduce pendency and cost overruns through administrative reforms. Continued focus on inter agency coordination and stronger dispute resolution mechanisms were presented as means to accelerate blocked projects. The minister highlighted that persistent monitoring, contractual enforcement and community engagement were central to reducing future delays. Parliament was informed that the ministry will continue to report progress and take corrective measures as required.

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85 under-construction national highway projects are delayed by more than three years, the government informed Parliament. The delays are attributable to multiple factors including bottlenecks in land acquisition, statutory clearances and permissions, utility shifting and encroachment removal. The information was provided in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha by Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. The minister said law and order issues had also contributed to time overruns. The government has undertaken various initiatives to prevent recurrence of delays and cost escalations and to strengthen project delivery mechanisms. It has sought to enhance coordination between agencies and to streamline clearance processes, the reply added. Contractors have been urged to accelerate work where feasible and administrative measures have been introduced to monitor progress. The ministry emphasised the need for early resolution of land and utility disputes to reduce further slippages. Delays of this magnitude have implications for project costs, regional connectivity and planned economic benefits, and they can affect investor confidence in infrastructure delivery. The ministry indicated that enhanced project monitoring and periodic review panels have been employed to identify bottlenecks and impose corrective steps. There was recognition that complex statutory and social issues require time consuming remedial action and that a balance must be struck between fair compensation and timely acquisition. Officials also noted that addressing encroachment and legal challenges remained a priority. The reply in the Upper House did not provide project specific timelines for completion but reaffirmed a commitment to reduce pendency and cost overruns through administrative reforms. Continued focus on inter agency coordination and stronger dispute resolution mechanisms were presented as means to accelerate blocked projects. The minister highlighted that persistent monitoring, contractual enforcement and community engagement were central to reducing future delays. Parliament was informed that the ministry will continue to report progress and take corrective measures as required.

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