Bharatmala Pariyojana: Weaving a New Infrastructure Garland for India

The Bharatmala Pariyojana, translating to “India Garland Project,” is an ambitious and ongoing initiative by the Indian government to revolutionize the country’s road network. Launched in 2015, this umbrella program aims to bridge critical infrastructure gaps and optimize the efficiency of freight and passenger movement across India.

 

Envisioning a Connected India

One of the program’s core objectives is to improve connectivity. Bharatmala plans to achieve this by:

 

  • Expanding Highway Coverage: The project envisions a significant increase in the number of National Highway corridors, from the existing six to 50. This will connect more places and improve accessibility across the vast Indian landscape.
  • Reaching Remote Areas: A key focus is on connecting remote areas and satellite cities of major metros like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. This will bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, fostering balanced development.
  • Enhancing Efficiency: Bharatmala prioritizes improving the efficiency of existing corridors like the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South and East-West corridors. This will involve measures like developing bypasses, ring roads, and elevated corridors to decongest urban areas and streamline logistics.

 

Building Blocks of Bharatmala

The program is multifaceted, encompassing various components to achieve its goals. These include:

 

  • Economic Corridors: A network of roughly 26,000 km of high-capacity corridors designed to handle a significant portion of India’s freight traffic.
  • Inter Corridors and Feeder Routes: A network of 8,000 km and 7,500 km of inter and feeder roads, respectively, to provide connectivity to the economic corridors and major highways.
  • National Corridor Efficiency Improvement: Upgrading existing corridors to improve their capacity and safety.
  • Border and Coastal Connectivity: Constructing new roads to improve connectivity with border areas and ports, boosting trade and security.

 

A Stepping Stone to a New India

The Bharatmala Pariyojana represents a significant investment in India’s future. With an estimated outlay of ₹10.63 lakh crore (US$130 billion), it is the single largest government expenditure on a road construction scheme in the country. The project is expected to:

 

  • Boost Economic Growth: Improved connectivity is expected to streamline the movement of goods and people, leading to increased economic activity and trade.
  • Create Jobs: The large-scale infrastructure development will generate significant employment opportunities in construction and related sectors.
  • Enhance Logistics: By improving infrastructure and reducing congestion, Bharatmala aims to make logistics more efficient and cost-effective.

Current Status of the Bharatmala Pariyojana Project

The Bharatmala Pariyojana is a work in progress, with Phase I targeted for completion by 2022. The project faces challenges such as land acquisition and ensuring environmental sustainability. However, its potential to transform India’s road network and unlock economic growth is undeniable. As Bharatmala unfolds, it promises to weave a more connected and prosperous future for India.

 

The Bharatmala Pariyojana has made significant progress, but completion of Phase I has been extended. Here is a breakdown of the status:

  • Target vs. Progress: The initial target for Phase I, launched in 2017, was to construct 34,800 km of highways by December 2022.
  • Revised Timeline: Due to factors like rising costs, land acquisition delays, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline has been extended to 2027-28.
  • Construction Progress: As of December 2023, an impressive 26,418 km (roughly 76%) of projects have been awarded for construction.
  • Completion Status: However, only about 15,549 km (around 42%) of the total targeted kilometres have been completed.

 

Challenges and Looking Forward

The project faces hurdles like rising material costs, increased land acquisition expenses, and navigating complex logistics for high-speed corridors. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to Bharatmala. The focus now is on expediting construction and securing resources to achieve the revised completion target.

Overall, Bharatmala Pariyojana is a massive undertaking that is transforming India’s road network. While there have been delays, the project is steadily progressing and holds immense potential to improve connectivity, boost economic activity, and create a more prosperous future for India.