Overview
The Supreme Court has ruled that the right to walk safely on well‑demarcated footpaths is a fundamental right. The decision highlights the need to balance motor‑vehicle privilege with pedestrian safety, especially as India’s road network – the second‑largest in the world – carries 64 % of freight and 90 % of passenger traffic (MoRTH). This article traces the evolution of that network, the shift from basic connectivity to economic corridors, and the challenges that lie ahead.
Key Developments
- 1943‑1998: Indian Roads Congress (IRC) drives the "Blueprint Era" focusing on road‑density targets and classification.
- 1998‑2017: Launch of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) creates the Golden Quadrilateral and North‑South/East‑West corridors.
- 2017‑present: Integration of remaining NHDP phases into Bharatmala Pariyojana, linked with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
- Adoption of Greenfield corridors to bypass congested cities and enable speeds up to 120 kmph.
- Use of Brownfield projects for immediate relief on heavily trafficked routes.
- Financing shift through the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) to revive private participation.
Important Facts
- India’s road network exceeds 5.5 million km, making it the world’s second‑largest.
- 26,000 km of economic corridors are planned under Bharatmala, linking resource‑rich hinterlands with consumption centres.
- PM GatiShakti overlays more than 200 data layers (forests, rail lines, industrial zones) to pre‑empt project conflicts.
- Land‑acquisition delays, environmental clearances, and financing gaps remain the top implementation bottlenecks.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the evolution of road policy is essential for GS III (Infrastructure & Economy) and GS II (Governance). The Supreme Court’s pedestrian‑right ruling ties into urban planning, public‑health, and the constitutional guarantee of the right to life (Article 21). The shift from linear highway widening to integrated logistics corridors illustrates how policy adapts to macro‑economic goals such as reducing logistics costs and enhancing export competitiveness.
Way Forward
- Accelerate land‑acquisition reforms while ensuring fair compensation and rehabilitation.
- Strengthen environmental clearances by integrating eco‑engineered designs, wildlife corridors, and climate‑resilient construction.
- Expand the use of data‑driven platforms like PM GatiShakti to synchronize multi‑modal transport planning.
- Promote sustainable financing models that balance public burden with private risk, possibly revisiting the HAM structure.
- Embed pedestrian safety standards in all new projects to align with the Supreme Court’s ruling and improve urban livability.
By treating highways as dynamic economic corridors rather than mere transport lanes, India can achieve faster, cheaper, and safer movement of goods and people, a key objective for the nation’s growth agenda.