**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer given in Lok Sabha on 18th December 2025, regarding unstarred question number 3116 by Shri Rahul Kaswan. The question pertained to the expansion and upgradation of National Highways, focusing on budgetary allocation, projects in Rajasthan, and prioritization criteria. It details the budgetary allocations and expenditure for FY 2024-25 and 2025-26, lists approved National Highway projects in Rajasthan, and outlines the government’s criteria for prioritizing National Highway projects.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Budgetary Allocation and Expenditure:**
* For FY 2024-25, the budgetary allocation for National Highway expansion and upgradation was ₹300,019 Crore, with expenditure/release amounting to ₹299,586 Crore.
* For FY 2025-26 (till 31.10.2025), the budgetary allocation was ₹287,333 Crore, with expenditure/release amounting to ₹182,570 Crore.
* **National Highway Projects in Rajasthan:**
* 29 National Highway projects spanning 425 km with a total cost of ₹6,880 Crore have been approved in Rajasthan during FY 2024-25 and 2025-26.
* Examples of projects include the development of a Four Lane Elevated Road in Jodhpur City and various sections of NH-11, NH-70, and NH-458.
* Currently, 34 National Highway projects in Rajasthan spanning 589 km with a total cost of ₹11,638 Crore are under construction, with 322 km completed, and scheduled completion by FY 2026-27.
* **Prioritization Criteria for National Highway Projects:**
* The development and maintenance of National Highways is a continuous process.
* Prioritization is based on traffic density, connectivity requirements, road condition, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP).
* Projects include access-controlled National High Speed Corridors, National Expressways, capacity augmentation of existing NHs, and construction of ring roads/bypasses/elevated corridors for decongestion.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways.
* **Action Required:** To continue the planning, funding, and oversight of National Highway projects in accordance with the outlined priorities and budgetary allocations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The primary ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs).
National Highways (NHs): The core subject of the policy, concerning expansion, upgradation, and maintenance.
Rajasthan: A specific state where National Highway projects are being sanctioned and constructed.
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP): Referenced policy document used in conjunction with National Highway projects.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3116
ANSWERED ON 18TH DECEMBER, 2025
EXPANSION AND UPGRADATION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
3116. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) the total budgetary allocation for National Highway expansion
and upgradation across the country for Financial Year 2024–25 and
2025–26 and the expenditure incurred so far;
(b) the major National Highway and Expressway projects sanctioned
in the State of Rajasthan during Financial Year 2024–25 and 2025–
26 along with their sanctioned cost, stage of implementation,
expected completion timelines and progress achieved to date; and
(c) whether the Government plans to prioritise corridors and
stretches facing high traffic load, congestion or strategic economic
importance while approving new National Highway projects and if
so, the criteria adopted for such prioritisation?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of
National Highways (NHs). Budgetary allocation along with
expenditure incurred / funds released during the Financial Year (FY)
2024–25 and 2025–26 are as under: -Budgetary Allocation Expenditure / Release
Financial Year
(₹ Crore) (₹ Crore)
2024-25 300,019 299,586
2025-26
287,333 182,570
(till 31.10.2025)
(b) 29 NHs projects in 425 km length costing ₹6,880 Crore have
been approved in the State of Rajasthan during the last Financial
Year (FY) 2024-25 and current FY 2025-26. This includes
development of Four Lane Elevated Road in Jodhpur City, Nagaur -
Netra section including Nagaur Bypass, Raipur - Jesakhera section
of NH-458, Myajlar – Jaisalmer section of NH-11, Sundra – Myajlar –
Ambasingh ki Dhani Road section of NH-11 and NH-70, Karauli
Bypass, Gangapur Bypass etc.
At present, 34 NHs projects in 589 km length costing ₹11,638
Crore are under construction in State of Rajasthan, out of which 322
km length is completed. These projects are under various stages of
construction with scheduled completion in a phased manner by FY
2026-27.
(c) Development and maintenance of NHs, including for the State
of Rajasthan, is a continuous process. Works on NHs, including
construction of access-controlled National High Speed Corridors /
National Expressways, capacity augmentation to two / four / six /
eight lane standards of existing NHs, construction of ring roads /
bypasses / elevated corridors for decongestion of NHs, are
accordingly taken up based on the traffic density, connectivity
requirement, condition of the road and synergy with PM Gati Shakti
National Master Plan (NMP).
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