The Bharatmala Project: Complete Guide on phases, Timeline, & more

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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:

  1. Enhancing Connectivity: Improving road links to remote areas, ports, and economic hubs.
  2. Boosting Economic Growth: Facilitating the movement of goods and people to drive economic activities.
  3. 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

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. Ambala26. Raipur
2. Bengaluru27. Rajkot
3. Bathinda28. Solan
4. Bhopal29. Sundargarh
5. Chennai30. Valsad
6. Cochin31. Vijayawada
7. Coimbatore32. Visakhapatnam
8. Guwahati33. Ahmedabad
9. Hisar34. Vadodara
10. Hyderabad35. Surat
11. Indore36. Bharuch
12. Jagatsinghpur37. Jalandhar
13. Jaipur38. Amritsar
14. Jammu39. Gurdaspur
15. Kandla40. Ludhiana
16. Kolkata41. Sangrur
17. Kota42. Patiala
18. Nagpur43. Delhi
19. Nashik44. Faridabad
20. Panaji45. Narnaul
21. Patna46. Ghaziabad
22. Pune47. Mumbai
23. Raipur48. JNPT
24. Rajkot49. Thane
25. Solan50. 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:

1. What is the Bharatmala Project?

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.

2. What is the timeline for the Bharatmala Project?

The project, known as Bharatmala Pariyojana, is planned to be completed in phases from 2027 to 2028

3. How is the Bharatmala Project funded?

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.

4. What are the phases of the Bharatmala Project?

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.

5. How many expressways are included in the Bharatmala Project?

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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