Highways to 2047: India’s Long-Term Infrastructure Roadmapt
India is gearing up for a transformative infrastructure journey guided by ambitious plan to modernize and expand its road network. Central to this vision is Vision 2047, a comprehensive, data-driven master plan aimed at creating a seamless and high-performance highways ecosystem that supports the nation’s economic aspirations. MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport & Highways) is steering this mission using sophisticated tools big data, GIS mapping, e-way bill trends, freight flows and GDP projections to chart the ideal high-speed corridors needed. This analytical approach ensures equitable infrastructure access, alleviates congestion and adapts dynamically over decades. Progress So Far: Building Momentum Over the past decade, India’s highway infrastructure has surged forward: National Highways have expanded from about 91,300 km in 2014 to approx. 146,145 km as of 2023-24 a 60% growth. The pace of construction has jumped from around 12 km per day in 2014-15 to nearly 28-29 km per day by 2023. In FY2023-24, India awarded nearly 12,349 km of new National Highways part of an overall target to award 13,800 km in FY24. Simultaneously, financial commitment towards infrastructure has surged spending increased from Rs. 0.31 lakh crore in 2013-14 to over Rs. 2.59 lakh crore in 2023. Budget allocation for the ministry in FY 2024-25 crossed Rs. 2.7 lakh crore and investment between 2024-2030 is projected to be Rs. 143 lakh crores double the Rs. 67 lakh crores spent from 2017-2024.
