NHAI must build 50 km of highways a day to meet target
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI must build 50 km of highways a day to meet target

The National Highways Authority of India faces the uphill task of building over 50 km of highways per day in five months to complete the targeted 12,000 km in FY23 after the pace of construction slackened in the first seven months of the year, so that only a third of the goal has been reached.

Between April and October, NHAI could manage just 4,060 km of national highways as against 4,450 km built in the same period of pandemic-hit FY22, a drop of around 8.8%.

As per the latest data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, though construction has faltered this year, award of projects has picked up pace. However, numbers have remained flat at 5,007 km.

In April-October of FY22, NHAI could award just about 4,913 km of highways.

While the government has not provided any reason for the weak performance this year, an official in the ministry said disruptions from the omicron wave of Covid and a prolonged monsoon prevented the NHAI from completing the targeted 12,000 km last year, and the trend seems to be continuing this year.

Nevertheless, the ministry still hopes to reach 12,000 km. Agencies have already been asked to push up construction and that the government is flush with funds to get roads completed at accelerated pace.

“First-half road constructions are generally slow but we hope that this activity will pick up pace now, as has been the case earlier as well, and goalposts would be reached,” said an official.

See also:
Nitin Gadkari inaugurates four-lane flyover in Maharashtra
Pune plans new link road between Wagholi and Lohegaon


The National Highways Authority of India faces the uphill task of building over 50 km of highways per day in five months to complete the targeted 12,000 km in FY23 after the pace of construction slackened in the first seven months of the year, so that only a third of the goal has been reached. Between April and October, NHAI could manage just 4,060 km of national highways as against 4,450 km built in the same period of pandemic-hit FY22, a drop of around 8.8%. As per the latest data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, though construction has faltered this year, award of projects has picked up pace. However, numbers have remained flat at 5,007 km. In April-October of FY22, NHAI could award just about 4,913 km of highways. While the government has not provided any reason for the weak performance this year, an official in the ministry said disruptions from the omicron wave of Covid and a prolonged monsoon prevented the NHAI from completing the targeted 12,000 km last year, and the trend seems to be continuing this year. Nevertheless, the ministry still hopes to reach 12,000 km. Agencies have already been asked to push up construction and that the government is flush with funds to get roads completed at accelerated pace. “First-half road constructions are generally slow but we hope that this activity will pick up pace now, as has been the case earlier as well, and goalposts would be reached,” said an official. See also: Nitin Gadkari inaugurates four-lane flyover in MaharashtraPune plans new link road between Wagholi and Lohegaon

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

Next Story
Real Estate

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Driving Infrastructure Forward with Trustworthy AI

At its Year in Infrastructure 2025 conference in Amsterdam, Bentley Systems reaffirmed its vision for trustworthy AI and connected digital ecosystems shaping the future of infrastructure engineering. The company unveiled AI-powered design applications and Bentley Infrastructure Cloud Connect, a unifying platform connecting data, workflows and professionals across the project lifecycle.“AI is poised to transform infrastructure,” said Nicholas Cumins, CEO, Bentley Systems. “At Bentley, our vision is for AI to empower engineers – not replace them. Trustworthy AI, built on infrastruct..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?