This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' response to a parliamentary question regarding National Highway (NH) development and expansion in Jharkhand, as well as Central Road Fund (CRF) allocations to Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
The Ministry reports that the NH network in Jharkhand has expanded from 2,968 km in March 2014 to 3,633 km currently. Further development and maintenance, including capacity augmentation to four/six/eight-lane standards, are ongoing based on traffic density, connectivity needs, road condition, priority, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Regarding CRF allocations, the Ministry allocates funds to States/Union Territories under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme, governed by the CRIF Act, 2000 (amended in 2019). Allocation criteria prioritize fuel consumption (30% weightage) and geographical area (70% weightage). A revolving balance of one-third of the annual accrual allocation is maintained. Funds are released quarterly, contingent upon the submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs).
The following table details CRF accruals and releases (in Crore Rupees) for Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir:
| State/UT | 2022-23 Accrual | 2022-23 Release | 2023-24 Accrual | 2023-24 Release | 2024-25 Accrual | 2024-25 Release | 2025-26 Accrual | 2025-26 Release (Till 30.06.2025) |
|---------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------|
| Jharkhand | 184.96 | 81.56 | 207.57 | 192.64 | 208.51 | 251.61 | 231.56 | 89.91 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 113.61 | 343.61 | 128.67 | 206.67 | 128.67 | 128.67 | 141.54 | 0.00 |
The Ministry notes that for Jammu & Kashmir, CRF releases have exceeded accruals due to the utilization of unspent balances from previous years. These figures include funds allocated/released for the construction of ROBs/RUBs/Bridges on State Roads under the SETU BANDHAN scheme within CRIF.
Key Entities Referenced
National Highways (NHs): A network of highways that are maintained by the central government.
Jharkhand: A state in eastern India with a significant network of National Highways.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways and transport infrastructure.
Jammu and Kashmir: A union territory in northern India, also receiving funds under the Central Road Fund.
Central Road Fund (CRF): A fund used for the development and maintenance of state roads, with allocations considered for Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
Nitin Jairam Gadkari: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
PM Gati Shakti NMP: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity, influencing highway development priorities.
Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF): A scheme for allocating funds to State Governments and Union Territories for development and maintenance of State Roads.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 901
ANSWERED ON 24THJULY, 2025
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS IN JHARKHAND
901. SHRI NALIN SOREN:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्गमंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is considering any proposal for the
development and expansion of the capacity of National
Highways(NHs) in Jharkhand and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government has also considered increasing the
quota for Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir under the Central Road
Fund in this regard, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) Length of National Highways (NHs) network in the State of
Jharkhand has increased from 2,968 km in March, 2014 to 3,633 km
at present.
Development and maintenance of NHs is a continuous process.
Works on notified NHs, including capacity augmentation to four / six
/ eight lane standards, are accordingly taken up in the country,
including for the State of Jharkhand, based on the traffic density,
connectivity requirement, condition of the road, inter-se priority and
synergy with PM Gati Shakti NMP.
(b) The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MoRTH) allocates funds to the State Governments / UnionTerritories (UTs) for development and maintenance of State Roads
under the Central Road & Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme as per
the provisions of the CRIF Act, 2000 as amended in 2019.
Government has finalized the criteria for allocation of funds for
development and maintenance of State Roads under the CRIF
Scheme under the amended Act.
The criteria inter-alia provides for allocation of funds based on
30 percentage weightage to fuel consumption and 70 percentage
weightage to geographical area of the State/ UT, maintaining a
revolving balance of one third of accrual/ allocation for the State/ UT
for the year with State/ UT while releasing funds, release of funds to
States/ UTs in Quarterly instalments linked to submission of
Utilization Certificates (UCs) etc.
Details of accrual and release of funds for development and
maintenance of State roads under CRIF Scheme in the States of
Jharkhand & Jammu Kashmir during the last three years and
current year are as under:-
Rs. in Crore
2025-26
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
(Till 30.06.2025)
State /
UT
Accrual Release Accrual Release Accrual Release
Accrual Release*
# # # # # #
Jharkhand 184.96 81.56 207.57 192.64 208.51 251.61 231.56 89.91
Jammu &
113.61 343.61 128.67 206.67 128.67 128.67 141.54 0.00
Kashmir
*Fund under CRIF Scheme has been released more than the accrual of the State / UT for the
concerned year from the unspent balance of previous years of that State / UT.
#Including funds allocated/released for construction of ROBs/ RUBs/ Bridges on State Roads
under SETU BANDHAN under CRIF Scheme
*****