The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has taken up detailed review of National Highways (NHs) network with a view to improve road connectivity to coastal / border areas, backward areas, religious places, tourist places, construction / rehabilitation / widening of about 1,500 major bridges and 200 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) / Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) on NHs, improvement of newly declared NHs providing connectivity to District Head Quarters, Connectivity Improvement Program for Char-Dham (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunothri & Gangothri in Uttarakhand) under proposed Bharatmala

1. Bharatmala Project
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has taken up detailed review of National
Highways (NHs) network with a view to improve road connectivity to coastal / border
areas, backward areas, religious places, tourist places, construction / rehabilitation /
widening of about 1,500 major bridges and 200 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) / Railway
Under Bridges (RUBs) on NHs, improvement of newly declared NHs providing
connectivity to District Head Quarters, Connectivity Improvement Program for Char-
Dham (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunothri & Gangothri in Uttarakhand) under proposed
Bharatmala Pariyojana.
The Ministry has assigned the tasks of preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for
about 17,200 km length of roads and about 205 ROBs / RUBs to various agencies in
anticipation of approval of the programme; besides, the Ministry has invited bids for
preparation of DPRs for about 1,500 major bridges on NHs. However, the Bharatmala
Pariyojana is yet to be formally launched.
This information was given by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shri
Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Connecting India like Never Before
Right from day one, NDA Government’s push to infrastructure has been evident. Be it
Railways, Roads, or Shipping the Government is focusing on augmenting the infrastructure to
aid in connectivity.
For the first time, Railways budget focused on structural reforms and infrastructure changes.
Announcement of new trains, which used to be an annual political gimmick has now become a
routine activity. Numerous passenger-friendly amenities like Wi-fi on railway stations, passenger
helpline (138), security helpline (182), paperless unreserved ticketing, e-catering, mobile security
app and CCTV cameras for safety of women, etc have been launched. Railways as will act as a
locomotive of the economy &connecting mines, coasts, etc. High speed bullet train for Mumbai-
Ahmedabad corridor has been planned. Feasibility study of New Delhi – Chennai route is
underway.
1,983 km of railway lines have been commissioned and 1,375 km of railway electrification has
been completed this year which is the best ever performance.6 new pilgrim trains have been
launched and Katra line opened for travel to Vaishno Devi.
In the roads sector, stalled road projects have been debottlenecked, long-pending contracting
disputes resolved &unviable projects aborted. A transformative project called Bharat Mala has
been started for construction of roads along India’s borders & coastal areas. Toll fee collection at
62 toll plazas has been discontinued for enhanced convenience of commuters. Highway projects
awarded has registered more than 120% increase over last year. No of roads constructed through
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has also registered a major increase.

2. India is also taking rapid strides in the shipping sector under NDA Government. The Sagarmala
Project will ensure comprehensive port–led development through development of vibrant coastal
communities. The Growth rate of cargo throughput in ports doubled from 4% to 8% this year.
Highest ever annual capacity addition of 71 MTPA was recorded. MoU has been signed with
Iran for strategic development of Chahabahar Port and access to Afghanistan and Central Asian
states. Jal Marg Vikas Project has been launched for promoting transportation and inland
waterways down the Ganga.
Rapid progress is happening in civil aviation sector too. Construction of new integrated terminal
buildingsin Mohali, Tirupati and Khajurahoare at completion stage. Terminals at Kadappa and Bikaner
have been completed. Up-gradation of airports at Hubli, Belgaum, Kishangarh, Tezu and Jharsuguda
commenced to promote regional connectivity. India’s International Aviation Safety Audit (IASA)
upgraded by FAA to a higher safety rating, enabling more flights