Road Transport Ministry to Focus on Quality Construction and Highway Maintenance in 2025
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to shift its focus in 2025 towards enhancing the quality of construction and the maintenance of National Highways (NHs). After a remarkable achievement of constructing over 56,700 km of NHs in the last decade, the government is now prioritising the sustainability and quality of the roads, in line with its long-term vision for road infrastructure development.
Since 2013-14, the total length of National Highways in India has surged from 0.91 lakh km to an impressive 1.46 lakh km, a significant expansion. However, the Ministry has been grappling with criticism over the quality of certain highway stretches, such as the Delhi-Jaipur (NH-48) and the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor, which have been subject to public scrutiny, particularly on social media. To address these concerns, MoRTH has been working on strategies to ensure better standards for new and ongoing highway projects. New Highways Secretary, V Umashankar, has held several meetings aimed at bolstering construction quality and improving highway maintenance.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the poor quality of some highways, urging faster corrective measures to ensure better road safety and smoother journeys. In response, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a performance-based rating system for concessionaires involved in the construction and maintenance of NHs. This new system will evaluate the quality of their work bi-annually, with the ratings being published on NHAI’s official website and social media platforms to maintain transparency and accountability. As part of its 2025 roadmap, NHAI aims to set new benchmarks for both the construction quality and management of National Highways. This initiative is expected to improve the travel experience for millions of highway users, making journeys safer and more seamless. The ministry is also pushing for the completion of major expressways that have faced delays, including the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, and Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway. All three projects are expected to be completed by 2025, significantly enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time across key regions.
Additionally, MoRTH is shifting towards a corridor-based approach for highway development, moving away from the traditional project-based strategy. This new model aims to improve logistics efficiency, ensure consistency in construction quality, and prioritise user convenience. As part of this shift, a network of 50,000 km of high-speed highways has been identified through data-driven studies, with the intention to support India’s goal of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047. To ensure barrier-free travel, MoRTH plans to implement a multi-party interoperable toll collection system based on satellite navigation technology. This will be part of the broader initiative to modernise the tolling system and enhance revenue generation for road maintenance.
Looking ahead, the Indian road infrastructure sector is poised for further growth, supported by progressive policies and increased investments. Experts predict that the shift towards quality construction, improved maintenance, and innovative tolling systems will not only boost the efficiency of National Highways but also contribute to the overall development of India’s transport infrastructure. With an ambitious roadmap ahead, the focus on quality construction and maintenance is expected to significantly elevate the standard of National Highways, ensuring that India’s road transport system can meet the growing demands of a rapidly developing economy.
