• The government has extended the deadline for completion of the flagship highway development project Bharatmala Phase-I to 2027-28, a full six years from the original schedule.
• The move follows an over 100% increase in the estimate cost of the mega project to nearly Rs 11 trillion, and reflects the slowing of implementation, and financial constraints.
• About 26,418 km of highway stretches – 76% of the total length of 34,800 km – have been awarded so far.
• Till November-end 15,045 km or 42% of the project has been completed.

 DETAILS

• Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella program for the highways sector envisaged by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• The first-phase of Bharatmala was announced in 2017 and was to be completed by 2022.
• In the first phase, the plan is to construct 34,800 km of highways.

COMPONENTS OF BHARATMALA PROJECT

• Economic Corridor – The central government has plans to construct 9000kms of Economic Corridors as per the guidelines of the road construction project.
• Feeder Route or Inter Corridor – A staggering 6000kms of roads fall under the Feeder Route or Inter Corridor category.
• National Corridor Efficiency Improvement – The scheme envisions the construction of 5000kms of roads under the category of National Corridor for better inter-connectivity between roads.
• Border Road and International Connectivity – The project aims to construct 2000kms of roads that fall in the Border Road or International Connectivity category to connect the cities and remote areas situated in the border regions.
• Port Connectivity and Coastal Road – The central government has mandated the construction of 2000km of roads to connect the areas along the shorelines and important ports.
• Green Field Expressway – The project lays major emphasis on the construction and development of Green Field Expressway for better management of traffic and freight.
• Balance NHDP Works – The project will see the construction and maintenance of about 10,000kms of new roads under the last segment.