NHAI to build 5,795 km National Highways in Aspirational Districts

24 Feb 2022 CW Team

Over 100 Aspirational Districts of India would undergo the construction of 5,795 km of National Highways (NHs) under a Rs one trillion programme, which is about to be unveiled.

The Road Ministry has selected 221 projects for expansion. The 5,566-km of roadways are already under construction in those districts, for Rs 66,000 crore.

The previous reports highlighted that since the financial year (FY) 2014-15, the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) debt increased 14 times to over Rs three trillion from Rs 24,188 crore at the end of January 2022.

Particularly in FY22 and FY21, it borrowed nearly Rs 65,000 crore each. But reportedly, the Central Government now plans to reduce it by Rs one trillion by 2024-25.

According to the data of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), all Aspirational Districts are already connected highways.

The extension would enhance economic activity in these areas.

In the last five years, more than 6,000 km NH has been constructed, which also connects ambitious districts.

As per the ministry’s annual report, in the first nine months of FY 2021-22, 5,835-km national highways have been built.

However, over the coming five years, the total length of the national highway network in these aspirational districts would grow to more than 18,000 km.

NITI Ayog told the media that this programme mainly focuses on enhancing the ability of the people to participate fully in the burgeoning economy.

NITI Ayog revealed that the selection process is based on the total progress made across 49 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), under five broad socio-economic themes- Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Health & Nutrition, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Infrastructure.

The performance and the delta-ranking of Aspirational Districts of every district are available on the Champions of Change Dashboard.

However, as per the experts, for these districts, connection (through the national highway) would be a massive multiplier in bringing growth to those places and the nearly 250 million people who live there.

Moreover, during the latest budget session, Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister, has set a target of increasing the country’s National Highways network by 25,000 km in 2022-2023, more than 12,000 km in the fiscal year 2022.

Image Source

Also read: NHAI to offer land along National Highways for realty development

Over 100 Aspirational Districts of India would undergo the construction of 5,795 km of National Highways (NHs) under a Rs one trillion programme, which is about to be unveiled. The Road Ministry has selected 221 projects for expansion. The 5,566-km of roadways are already under construction in those districts, for Rs 66,000 crore. The previous reports highlighted that since the financial year (FY) 2014-15, the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) debt increased 14 times to over Rs three trillion from Rs 24,188 crore at the end of January 2022. Particularly in FY22 and FY21, it borrowed nearly Rs 65,000 crore each. But reportedly, the Central Government now plans to reduce it by Rs one trillion by 2024-25. According to the data of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), all Aspirational Districts are already connected highways. The extension would enhance economic activity in these areas. In the last five years, more than 6,000 km NH has been constructed, which also connects ambitious districts. As per the ministry’s annual report, in the first nine months of FY 2021-22, 5,835-km national highways have been built. However, over the coming five years, the total length of the national highway network in these aspirational districts would grow to more than 18,000 km. NITI Ayog told the media that this programme mainly focuses on enhancing the ability of the people to participate fully in the burgeoning economy. NITI Ayog revealed that the selection process is based on the total progress made across 49 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), under five broad socio-economic themes- Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Health & Nutrition, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Infrastructure. The performance and the delta-ranking of Aspirational Districts of every district are available on the Champions of Change Dashboard. However, as per the experts, for these districts, connection (through the national highway) would be a massive multiplier in bringing growth to those places and the nearly 250 million people who live there. Moreover, during the latest budget session, Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister, has set a target of increasing the country’s National Highways network by 25,000 km in 2022-2023, more than 12,000 km in the fiscal year 2022. Image Source Also read: NHAI to offer land along National Highways for realty development

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..