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Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I aims to construct 34,800 km of national highways to connect economic corridors, inter-corridors, ring roads, and coastal roads. Total investment: ₹10.64 lakh crore. As of 2025: 25,000+ km awarded; 16,000+ km completed. Bharatmala Phase II under planning: focuses on last-mile connectivity and green highways.
Target Beneficiaries: Entire economy; logistics industry; cargo movement; 700+ districts connected
Implementing Agency: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), State Public Works Departments (PWDs)
1064000
Funding Ratio (Centre:State): Funded through Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model, and market borrowings by NHAI.
GS Paper: GS3
Syllabus Tags
Launched in October 2017 to optimize the efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country. It succeeded the National Highways Development Project (NHDP).
State-of-the-art facilities for freight aggregation and distribution to reduce logistics costs.
High-speed, access-controlled corridors to connect major economic hubs.
Metric
26,418 km
Source: MoRTH Annual Report / PIB
Metric
15,549 km
Source: MoRTH Dashboard
Metric
₹2.78 Lakh Crore
Source: Budget 2024-25
Bharatmala is a paradigm shift from 'connectivity-based' road construction to 'corridor-based' efficiency. It recognizes that India’s logistics cost (approx. 13-14% of GDP) is a bottleneck for manufacturing competitiveness. Phase I addressed the critical gaps in National Highways, while Phase II is designed to enhance the network through 'access-controlled' expressways and Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs). The use of the Gati Shakti National Master Plan for planning ensures that road projects are synchronized with railways and ports. However, the project faces headwinds from rising land acquisition costs and the financial stress on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) due to debt.
Bharatmala Pariyojana is not just a road construction project but a logistics revolution. Critically analyze this statement in the context of India's target to become a $5 trillion economy.
Use Bharatmala as a case study for 'Infrastructure-led Growth'. Mention the 'Hub and Spoke Model' for logistics. It is a key component of the 'PM Gati Shakti' framework. Highlight how it boosts the 'Make in India' initiative by reducing lead times. Note the shift from EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) to BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) and HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) in funding.