Construction of 4-Lane and Above Highways Hits Record High

The share of 'four-lane and above' highway stretches constructed in India between April and January of the current financial year has reached its highest-ever level, comprising nearly 43% of all NH stretches built in 2023-24. The pace of construction has seen a significant 16% rise, totaling 3,297 km. This shift reflects a focus on building wider highways and expressways, departing from the previous trend of primarily strengthening existing stretches and widening NHs to only two lanes. Government data highlights a threefold increase in the annual construction rate of highways with more than four lanes since 2013-14. Notably, the length of NHs with less than two lanes has reduced from 27,517 km in March 2014 to 14,300 km presently.