The Bharatmala Pariyojana, a flagship road network expansion initiative by the Modi government, has made substantial strides in India’s infrastructure development. As of March 31, 2024, the program has awarded contracts for 26,425 km and completed the construction of 17,411 km of roads, with a total expenditure of Rs 4.59 lakh crore. The project spans 34,800 km, covering 31 states and union territories and over 550 districts. Let’s have more details into Bharatmala Project
The Bharatmala Project is a monumental initiative by the Indian government, aimed at overhauling the nation’s road and highway infrastructure. Launched with the vision of creating a vast network of roads, highways, and expressways, Bharatmala is set to revolutionize connectivity across India. With a planned road network stretching over 83,677 kilometers and an investment of Rs 10.63 lakh crore, this project stands as one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in the country’s history.
Bharatmala Pariyojana: An Umbrella Program
Bharatmala Pariyojana serves as an umbrella program that encompasses all previous road development projects, including the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP). This integrated approach ensures that the objectives of various initiatives are aligned and streamlined under a single, cohesive framework.
Bharatmala Project includes several key components:
- Economic Corridors
- Feeder Roads
- Inter-corridors
- National Corridor Efficiency Improvements
- Logistics Park Interconnections
- Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads
- Border and International Connectivity Roads
Connecting India: A Strategic Vision
One of the primary goals of Bharatmala Pariyojana is to connect more than 550 district headquarters through highways with at least four lanes. The project is not just about building roads; it is also focused on improving the efficiency of freight movement, thereby enhancing the overall logistics framework of the country.
The project envisions creating over 26,000 kilometers of economic corridors. Combined with the Golden Quadrilateral and the North-South and East-West corridors, these new routes aim to carry more than 80% of freight traffic on highways, a significant leap from the current 40%. To achieve this, Bharatmala will interlink 26 logistics parks, 66 inter-corridors, 116 feeder routes, and seven northeastern multi-modal waterway ports.
History and Background
The origins of the Bharatmala Pariyojana lie in the need to address infrastructure gaps and create a robust network of highways across India. Launched in 2017, the project builds upon the successes of the Golden Quadrilateral and the NHDP, with Phase I marking the first significant milestone in creating a comprehensive vision for India’s road network.
In the past five years, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constructed 24,050 km of national highways, creating approximately 45 crore man-days of direct employment, 57 crore man-days of employment, and 532 crore man-days of induced employment. This significant job creation highlights the program’s profound socio-economic impact.
Furthermore, NHAI has embarked on the development of five expressways and 22 access-controlled highways, covering a combined distance of 9,860 km, with an approved project cost of Rs 4.19 lakh crore.
Objectives of the Bharatmala Project
The Bharatmala Project is driven by several key objectives:
- Enhancing Connectivity: Improving road links to remote areas, ports, and economic hubs.
- Boosting Economic Growth: Facilitating the movement of goods and people to drive economic activities.
- Reducing Travel Time: Significantly cutting down travel distances through better road networks.
Scope and Coverage
Bharatmala’s scope is vast and varied, covering multiple types of road networks, including:
- National Highways: Upgrading and expanding existing highways.
- Economic Corridors: Creating new corridors that connect industrial and economic centers.
- Border and International Connectivity Roads: Strengthening road links to neighboring countries.
- Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads: Enhancing access to ports to boost trade.
Bharatmala Project Map
Funding and Financials
The financial blueprint of the Bharatmala project is extensive. The Indian government has allocated substantial funds, drawing from a mix of public and private investments, including international loans. Despite the challenges of cost overruns, efficient project management is key to ensuring the financial viability of the initiative.
Implementation Phases
The implementation of Bharatmala is planned in three phases:
Key Projects Under Bharatmala
- Phase I: Involves thorough planning, feasibility assessments, and initial groundwork.
- Phase II: Dedicated to the construction and implementation of road networks.
- Phase III: Prioritizes progress tracking and the upkeep of the infrastructure
Also read: Hyderabad Amaravati Expressway: Latest news and Project details 2024
Noteworthy projects under Bharatmala include:
- Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: A major game-changer for connectivity between two of India’s largest cities.
- Eastern Peripheral Expressway: Designed to ease traffic congestion in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Bharatmala Project Expressways List:
Expressways Under Bharatmala Project
| Expressway Name |
|---|
| Delhi-Vadodara Expressway |
| Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway |
| Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway |
| Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway |
| Delhi-Faridabad-Sohna Expressway |
| Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway |
| Amritsar-Bhatinda-Jamnagar Corridor |
| Raipur-Vishakhapatnam Corridor |
| Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway |
| Durg-Raipur-Arang Corridor |
| Ambala-Kotputli Corridor |
| Chennai-Salem Corridor |
| Urban Extension Road II |
| Delhi-Dehradun Corridor |
| Chitoor-Thatchur Corridor |
| Surat-Ahmednagar Solapur |
| Solapur-Kurnool Corridor |
| Kharagpur-Siliguri Corridor (Till Morgram) |
| Bengaluru-Satellite Ring Road |
| Indore-Hyderabad Corridor |
| Hyderabad (Suryapet)-Vishakhapatnam (Devarpalle) Corridor |
| Kota–Indore (Garoth – Ujjain) Corridor |
| Hyderabad-Raipur Corridor |
| Nagpur-Vijayawada Corridor |
These projects exemplify how Bharatmala is reshaping regional development and enhancing connectivity.
Also read: Nagpur-Vijayawada Expressway: A Complete Guide
Technological Integration
The Bharatmala project is heavily reliant on modern technology, utilizing advanced construction techniques, smart highways, and automated toll systems to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
Environmental Considerations
Sustainability is a crucial aspect of Bharatmala, with a strong focus on minimizing environmental impact through green practices and sustainable construction methods. This includes conducting environmental impact assessments and using eco-friendly materials.
Economic Corridors:
| Economic Corridor |
|---|
| EC-1: Mumbai-Kolkata |
| EC-2: Mumbai-Kanyakumari |
| EC-3: Amritsar-Jamnagar |
| EC-4: Kandla-Sagar |
| EC-5: Agra-Mumbai |
| EC-6: Pune-Vijayawada |
| EC-7: Raipur-Dhanbad |
| EC-8: Ludhiana-Ajmer |
| EC-9: Surat-Nagpur |
| EC-10: Hyderabad-Panaji |
| EC-11: Jaipur-Indore |
| EC-12: Solapur-Nagpur |
| EC-13: Sagar-Varanasi |
| EC-14: Kharagpur-Siliguri |
| EC-15: Raipur-Visakhapatnam |
| EC-16: Delhi-Lucknow |
| EC-17: Chennai-Kurnool |
| EC-18: Indore-Nagpur |
| EC-19: Chennai-Madurai |
| EC-20: Mangaluru-Raichur |
| EC-21: Tuticorin-Cochin |
| EC-22: Solapur-Bellary-Gooty |
| EC-23: Hyderabad-Aurangabad |
| EC-24: Delhi-Kanpur |
| EC-25: Tharad-Phalodi |
| EC-26: Nagaur-Mandi Dabwali |
| EC-27: Sagar-Lucknow |
| EC-28: Sambalpur-Paradeep |
| EC-29: Amreli-Vadodra |
| EC-30: Godhra-Khargone |
| EC-31: Sambalpur-Ranchi |
| EC-32: Bengaluru-Malappuram |
| EC-33: Raisen-Pathariya |
| EC-34: Bengaluru-Mangaluru |
| EC-35: Chittaurgarh-Indore |
| EC-36: Bilaspur-New Delhi |
| EC-37: Solapur-Mahabubnagar |
| EC-38: Bengaluru-Nellore |
| EC-39: Ajmer-Udaipur |
| EC-40: Sirsa-Delhi |
| EC-41: Sirohi-Beawar |
| EC-42: Jaipur-Agra |
| EC-43: Pune-Aurangabad |
| EC-44: North East Corridor |
Challenges and Solutions
Like any large-scale infrastructure project, Bharatmala faces several challenges:
- Land Acquisition Issues: Streamlining the process to acquire land without major disputes.
- Coordination Between Agencies: Ensuring smooth collaboration between various governmental bodies.
- Overcoming Financial Constraints: Innovative financial models and public-private partnerships (PPPs) are key to overcoming these challenges.
Bharatmala Project complete guide PDF
Impact on the Economy
The Bharatmala project is expected to have a significant impact on the Indian economy by generating employment opportunities, boosting the logistics sector, and spurring regional economic growth.
Also read: Bangalore Chennai Expressway: Route Map, Cost, Progress, and More
Social Impact
Beyond its economic implications, Bharatmala has profound social impacts, including:
- Linking Remote Regions: Integrating previously isolated areas into the broader network.
- Improved Educational and Healthcare Access: Making travel to schools and hospitals more convenient.
- Raising Quality of Life: Enhancing living standards through better infrastructure development
Logistic Parks along Bharatmala project :
| 1. Ambala | 26. Raipur |
| 2. Bengaluru | 27. Rajkot |
| 3. Bathinda | 28. Solan |
| 4. Bhopal | 29. Sundargarh |
| 5. Chennai | 30. Valsad |
| 6. Cochin | 31. Vijayawada |
| 7. Coimbatore | 32. Visakhapatnam |
| 8. Guwahati | 33. Ahmedabad |
| 9. Hisar | 34. Vadodara |
| 10. Hyderabad | 35. Surat |
| 11. Indore | 36. Bharuch |
| 12. Jagatsinghpur | 37. Jalandhar |
| 13. Jaipur | 38. Amritsar |
| 14. Jammu | 39. Gurdaspur |
| 15. Kandla | 40. Ludhiana |
| 16. Kolkata | 41. Sangrur |
| 17. Kota | 42. Patiala |
| 18. Nagpur | 43. Delhi |
| 19. Nashik | 44. Faridabad |
| 20. Panaji | 45. Narnaul |
| 21. Patna | 46. Ghaziabad |
| 22. Pune | 47. Mumbai |
| 23. Raipur | 48. JNPT |
| 24. Rajkot | 49. Thane |
| 25. Solan | 50. Raigad |
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, the future of Bharatmala is promising, with plans for expansion to cover even more areas. The long-term benefits of the project are expected to include sustained economic and social growth, alongside the integration of new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure.
Conclusion
The Bharatmala Pariyojana is not just about building roads; it is about transforming India’s infrastructure. With its comprehensive coverage, technological advancements, and wide-reaching economic and social impacts, Bharatmala is poised for a bright future, helping India achieve new heights in connectivity and development.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The Bharatmala Project is a major road and highway development initiative launched by the Indian government to enhance the country’s road infrastructure. It aims to construct a vast network of roads, highways, and expressways across India, totaling 83,677 km.
The project, known as Bharatmala Pariyojana, is planned to be completed in phases from 2027 to 2028
The project is funded through a mix of public and private investments, including international loans, with a total investment of Rs 10.63 lakh crore.
The Phase I: Involves extensive planning, feasibility studies, and groundwork.
Phase II: Focuses on the execution and construction of the roadways.
Phase III: Centers on monitoring progress and maintaining the infrastructure.
The project includes several major expressways, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Chennai-Salem Corridor, and Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway, among others.
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