Bharatmala Pariyojana : Phase I Extended
The Government has extended the deadline for completion of the flagship highway development project Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I to 2027-28.
- The move follows an over 100% increase in the estimated cost of the mega project and reflects the slowing of implementation, and financial constraints.
- Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella programme launched under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- The first-phase of Bharatmala was announced in 2017 and was to be completed by 2022.
- Bharatmala focuses on enhanced effectiveness of already built infrastructure, multi-modal integration, bridging infrastructure gaps for seamless movement and integrating National and Economic Corridors.
- There are six key features of the programme:
- Economic Corridors: Integrating the economic corridors facilitates larger connectedness between economically important production and consumption centers.
- Inter-corridor and Feeder routes: This would ensure first mile and last mile connectivity.
- National Corridor Efficiency Improvement: Through this, the greater actionable goal is to undertake lane expansion and decongestion of existing National Corridors.
- Border and International Connectivity roads: Better border road infrastructure would ensure greater maneuverability, while also boosting trade with neighboring countries.
- Coastal and Port connectivity roads: Port-led economic development is further boosted through connectivity to coastal areas, encouraging both tourism and industrial development.
- Green-field Expressways: Expressways have higher traffic configuration and choke points would benefit from green-field expressways.
