Road construction plays a vital role in infrastructure development, serving as a catalyst for economic growth, improved regional connectivity and urban development. Since April 2014, India has constructed and upgraded nearly 101,900 km of National Highways (NH). The average annual rate of highway construction from 2014 to 2024 has surged by approximately 130 per cent compared to the 2004-2014 decade. Looking ahead, the Union Government has set a bold goal of building 10,000 km of highways in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
However, despite this rapid expansion, challenges such as budget overruns, project delays and environmental impacts continue to affect the efficiency and sustainability of road infrastructure projects. Achieving cost-efficiency in this sector requires a careful balance between maintaining quality, adhering to timelines and staying within budget, all while minimising environmental impact. Contributing factors to rising costs often include inadequate project planning, limited adoption of advanced technologies and poor resource management. Additionally, while striving to meet global quality standards is crucial, it must be done without compromising financial discipline...
