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

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..