What are some interesting facts about highways in India?
Here are some interesting facts about highways in India:
Extensive Network
- As of March 2022, India has a vast network of national highways spanning approximately 161,350 kilometers, which is a significant increase from 101,011 kilometers in the financial year 2013-14. This represents a growth of about 59% over the last nine years1.
Traffic Volume
- Despite constituting only about 2.7% (or 2.09% as of 2019) of India's total road network, national highways carry around 40% of the country's road traffic12.
Modernization and Expansion
- Many of the existing highways are being expanded from four-lane roads to six or more lanes. Some sections of the network are toll roads, and bypasses have been constructed around larger towns and cities to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow1.
State-wise Distribution
- Maharashtra has the largest network of national highways, with approximately 17,757 kilometers, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan with 11,737 kilometers and 10,342 kilometers, respectively, as of March 20192.
Contribution to Economy
- The national highways play a crucial role in boosting the economy by enabling faster transportation of goods and services. Road transport is the dominant segment in India’s transport sector, contributing 3.06% to the Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2019-2023.
Road Density and Global Comparison
- India has one of the densest road networks in the world. As of December 2024, India has the largest road network globally, with over 6,617,100 kilometers of roads. The country has a higher road density compared to many other large countries, including the United States, China, Brazil, and Russia4.
Paved Roads and Modern Infrastructure
- As of 31 March 2020, about 70% of Indian roads were paved. Additionally, India has completed and put into use over 35,000 kilometers of four or more lane highways connecting major manufacturing, commercial, and cultural centers4.
Ongoing Projects and Initiatives
- Major projects are being implemented under the Bharatmala initiative by the Government of India to further modernize and expand the road infrastructure. Private builders and highway operators are also involved in these projects4.