Parliament Question: Construction of National Highways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 4259 ANSWERED ON – 01/04/2026 CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

4259. SHRI GOLLA BABURAO:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) what are the reasons that construction of NHs is coming down from 12,349 kms in 2023- 24 to 10,660 kms in 2024-25 to 10,000 kms in 2025-26;

(b) whether it is a fact that with construction of just 6,350 kms at the end of February, 2026, there is no possibility of achieving even 10,000 kms target for 2025-265;

(c) if so, reasons therefor; and

(d) to what extent the coming down of monetization of NHs from ₹ 41,154 crores in 2023-24 to just ₹ 28,078 crores is impacting the construction? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (c) The Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways sets annual targets for construction of National Highways (NHs) at the beginning of each Financial Year in terms of total length to be constructed, duly considering present progress of ongoing works and projects for which construction is targeted to be started in that particular financial year.

The variation in construction pace and targets is primarily on account of stricter conditions precedent for Award / Start of work due to factors such as availability of encumbrance-free land, availability of statutory clearances, shifting focus towards development of more complex Greenfield and access-controlled corridors, and the need to ensure financial prudence and quality of execution.

For the current financial year, construction of about 8600 km took place till 3rd week of March as against target of 10,000 km. The executing agencies are undertaking all necessary & proactive measures to facilitate timely project execution and to endeavor towards achieving the construction targets set for the current financial year.

(d) Monetization of NHs through Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT)/Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvIT) does not impact pace of construction. *****