Centre to Slow State Highway-to-National Highway Conversions

13 Feb 2026 CW Team

The policy shift emerged from a high-level highways sector review chaired by the prime minister and directed the transport ministry to prepare a framework by the end of July that reduces reliance on reclassification of state highways as national highways.

Over the past 11 years nearly 55,000 kilometres of state highways were reclassified as national highways, expanding the national network from about 91,300 kilometres in 2014 to roughly 0.146 million (mn) kilometres today, an increase of around 60 per cent. The conversions were part of an aggressive expansion drive that emphasised extending the national grid of roads across states, but officials now judge that further mileage additions should be guided by economic returns and freight movement patterns.

The transport ministry has been asked to design detailed criteria and dashboard metrics to assess which state highways merit national status and which can be upgraded under state or regional programmes. The framework is expected to include freight tonnage thresholds, connectivity to industrial estates and ports, projected traffic growth and cost benefit benchmarks to prioritise projects. Emphasis will be placed on developing greenfield expressways and dedicated freight corridors to reduce transit times and enhance supply chain reliability.

States will need to align their project pipelines and funding requests with the new economy-driven priorities and demonstrate how proposed conversions will support manufacturing, exports or major logistics nodes. The centre may continue selective conversions where strategic national connectivity is demonstrably justified, but the broad presumption in favour of automatic nationalisation of state highways has been abandoned. The transport ministry will present the framework and implementation plan by the stated deadline.

The Union government has decided to slow the routine conversion of state highways into national highways and to pursue an economy-centric infrastructure model that prioritises freight efficiency and industrial connectivity. The policy shift emerged from a high-level highways sector review chaired by the prime minister and directed the transport ministry to prepare a framework by the end of July that reduces reliance on reclassification of state highways as national highways. Over the past 11 years nearly 55,000 kilometres of state highways were reclassified as national highways, expanding the national network from about 91,300 kilometres in 2014 to roughly 0.146 million (mn) kilometres today, an increase of around 60 per cent. The conversions were part of an aggressive expansion drive that emphasised extending the national grid of roads across states, but officials now judge that further mileage additions should be guided by economic returns and freight movement patterns. The transport ministry has been asked to design detailed criteria and dashboard metrics to assess which state highways merit national status and which can be upgraded under state or regional programmes. The framework is expected to include freight tonnage thresholds, connectivity to industrial estates and ports, projected traffic growth and cost benefit benchmarks to prioritise projects. Emphasis will be placed on developing greenfield expressways and dedicated freight corridors to reduce transit times and enhance supply chain reliability. States will need to align their project pipelines and funding requests with the new economy-driven priorities and demonstrate how proposed conversions will support manufacturing, exports or major logistics nodes. The centre may continue selective conversions where strategic national connectivity is demonstrably justified, but the broad presumption in favour of automatic nationalisation of state highways has been abandoned. The transport ministry will present the framework and implementation plan by the stated deadline.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..