December 18, 2025: India has constructed and upgraded nearly 3,468 kilometres of National Highways during the first half of the current financial year 2025–26, reflecting continued momentum in road infrastructure development. The information was shared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in Parliament on Wednesday, December 17.
In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari said, “Total length of National Highways (NHs) constructed and upgraded in the country, during the current Financial Year 2025-26 is about 3468 km till October,2025”. The update highlights progress made across multiple states as part of the Centre’s push to expand and modernise the national highway network.
Beyond construction targets, the minister said the government has intensified its focus on road safety. Guidelines have been issued mandating regular safety audits at various stages of highway projects, including design, construction, and pre-opening phases, as well as periodic audits on existing highways. These measures aim to identify potential risks early and reduce accident-prone conditions.
To further enhance safety and traffic management, the government is deploying Advanced Traffic Management Systems on National Highways. These systems include AI-based video incident detection and enforcement tools, automatic number plate recognition cameras, pan-tilt-zoom surveillance cameras, and real-time electronic monitoring to enable quicker response to accidents and disruptions.
The Centre is also advancing sustainability measures through the Green Highways Policy, 2015. According to the minister, this initiative focuses on plantation, transplantation, beautification, and long-term maintenance along National Highway corridors. Tree plantation is being carried out along highway right-of-way areas in line with policy guidelines.
In addition, the government is promoting the use of waste materials in road construction to support environmentally responsible and cost-effective development. Materials such as plastic waste, fly ash, and construction debris are being utilised based on feasibility and availability. Waste plastic is incorporated into bituminous mixes, while fly ash and construction debris are used in embankments, pavement layers, and concrete works.
Together, these measures underline the government’s integrated approach to highway expansion, combining capacity creation with safety enhancement and sustainability.
Source: Swarajya
