Union Budget 2022: In big boost, national highways network to be expanded by 25,000km in 2022-23

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that under the PM Gati Shakti master plan, India is set to see its highest addition in National Highways in 2022-23, adding 25,000 kilometres as part of the ambitious, Rs 100 trillion plan for multi-modal connectivity.

"PM Gati Shakti will encompass the seven engines for multi-modal connectivity for the states with speedier implementation of development projects through technology to facilitate faster movement of people and goods through ₹20,000 crores financed by the government to speed up this project," Sitharaman said.

The announcement comes in addition to the Centre's aim to hit 2 lakh km of national highways by 2025. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier revealed the plan to increase the NH network by more than 25 per cent in the next three years. At present, India has an NH network of more than 1.40 lakh km.

The PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan For Multi-Modal Connectivity is essentially a digital platform to bring 16 Ministries including Railways and Roadways together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. The multi-modal connectivity is said to provide integrated and seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services from one mode of transport to another. It will facilitate the last mile connectivity of infrastructure and reduce travel time for people.

Earlier, the Indian government emphasised more on infrastructure development, as MoRTH minister Gadkari mentioned that India can hope of getting highways of American standards in the next three years and mentioned that 38km of roads are being constructed every day as compared to just two km each day in the past.