Bharatmala Project: Transforming India’s Road Network for Growth and Connectivity

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Key Highlights

• Bharatmala Project targets 83,000 km of road construction with a ₹10.63 lakh crore budget.

• 20,770 km completed by mid-2025 out of 26,425 km awarded.

• Odisha’s 3.43 km Koraput tunnel cuts travel time from 14 hours to 6 hours.

• Amritsar–Jamnagar corridor to reduce travel time from 26 hours to 13 hours.

• Phase II and Vision 2047 to focus on logistics parks and integrated transport.

The Bharatmala Project is India’s largest highway development program under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Launched in 2015, the project has a budget of ₹10.63 lakh crore and aims to build over 83,000 km of roads. Its goal is to boost connectivity in remote areas, improve logistics efficiency, and expand India’s national corridors from six to fifty.

By mid-2025, more than 20,770 km of roads will have been completed out of the 26,425 km awarded. States like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have seen significant progress, with 3,480 km of road projects completed since June 30.

Tunnels, Expressways & Reduced Travel Time

One of the landmark achievements under Bharatmala is the 3.43 km Koraput tunnel along the Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor. This is Odisha’s first tunnel of such scale, cutting travel time between the regions from 14 hours to just 6 hours.

India is also developing major expressway projects:

• Amritsar–Jamnagar Corridor: Travel time will reduce from 26 hours to 13 hours, improving trade and connectivity between key cities and ports.

• Pune–Bengaluru Expressway: A 700 km mega project, expected to be completed by 2028, will significantly cut travel hours and strengthen industrial links.

Monitoring Progress and Addressing Challenges

The government has begun tracking the impact of Bharatmala projects on safety, environment, and logistics efficiency. While progress has been strong, some challenges remain. Issues like land acquisition and rising project costs have slowed approvals, leading the Centre to halt new road project sanctions temporarily.

Roadmap Ahead: Phase II and Vision 2047

The government is now preparing for Phase II of Bharatmala, expected to begin in 2024. This phase will focus on logistics parks and inland waterway links to create an integrated transport network.

Looking further, the Vision 2047 plan aims to expand beyond Bharatmala, with a long-term strategy to modernize India’s entire road network, improve freight efficiency, and strengthen last-mile connectivity across states.

Also Read: CASE India MD Shalabh Chaturvedi Elected Vice President of ICEMA

CMV360 Says

The Bharatmala Project is reshaping India’s road infrastructure with faster travel, better logistics, and enhanced connectivity. At the same time, challenges like land acquisition and costs remain. Phase II and Vision 2047 show that India is committed to building a stronger, future-ready road network.