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Road Infrastructure in India UPSC CSE

Development of Roads in India

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Summary of Development of Roads

Infrastructure is the backbone of any fast-growing economy. It provides an essential foundation that can support growth and achieve sustainable development. Road infrastructure, in particular, serves as an important means of communication that provides last mile connectivity. In the last three decades, the road network in India has developed at a rapid pace. Between 1991 and 2019, the total road length in the country has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.64%. Because of this rapid pace, India now has the second longest road network in the world, after the USA. Apart from the length of the road network, a special emphasis was given on the quality of roads that can sustain the weather pattern in the country. Several quality control measures were taken to ensure all-weather roads are being constructed. To provide connectivity in rural areas, the government's Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna has proven to be a revolutionary move. Apart from this, initiatives such as Bharatmala Pariyojana are undertaken to enhance connectivity in the country.

Bharatmala Pariyojana

  • It is an umbrella scheme under the MoRTH for development in the highway sector.
  • Objectives of this scheme:
    • To bridge critical gaps in infrastructure to smoothen passenger and freight movement.
    • To improve road connectivity in the North East.
    • To increase efficiency of existing infrastructure and to promote multi-modal integration.
  • In Phase-I, around 34,800 km of National Highways are to be constructed. The initial deadline was by the end of year 2022 but it was pushed by six years to 2027-28 due to delays.
  • It is to be implemented by various agencies such as NHAI, NHIDCL, State Road Development Corporations, etc.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

  • It was started in the year 2000, to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural areas.
  • It is implemented under the overall authority of the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • It is a fully funded centrally sponsored scheme i.e. 60% Centre and 40% states except for Northeastern states and Himalayan states (90:10 share). 75 paise/litre of the cess levied on high speed diesel is earmarked for this scheme.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • In plain areas, 500 persons and above.
    • Hilly states, the desert areas, tribal areas and selected tribal and backward districts, 250 persons and above.
    • 100 persons and above for critical Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Maintenance of rural roads is the responsibility of state governments.
  • It is monitored by an e-governance tool Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System or OMMAS GIS.

After independence the First Five Year Plan gave a four-fold classification of roads in the country:

  • National Highways (NH): roads built and maintained by the Central Government (NHAI) that link major cities and states. They are essential for interstate travel, logistics, and military mobilisation. They account for just 2% of the total road network in the country but carry around 40% of the total traffic.
  • State Highways (SH): these are roads that are built and maintained by the state government. They link state capitals, major cities, and district headquarters. They often eventually connect to the NHs. SHs constitute around 4% of the total road network.
  • Major District Roads and Other District Roads: These roads are an important link between the district and other important nodes of the district. They account for around 14% of the total road network in the country.
  • Village Roads: They provide linkages between various villages and district headquarters. More than 70% of the roads are classified as rural roads.
  • Length of Road Network (2022-23)
    National Highways 1,44,955 km
    State Highways 1,67,079 km
    Other Roads 60,19,757 km
    Total 63,31,791 km

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):

  • It was set up as a central agency by the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988, and it became operational in February 1995.
  • Headquarter: New Delhi
  • Responsibilities: Development, maintenance, and management of National Highways, and any other matter incidental thereto. NHAI advises the government on National Highways issues and provides consultancy in India and abroad. It also carries out research activities to fulfil its mandate.
  • Composition: Chairman and not more than five members appointed by the Central Government.

Background of Development of Roads

Introduction of Development of Roads

Significance of Roads

Important Organisations for Road Development

  • National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):
    • It was set up as a central agency by the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988, and it became operational in February 1995.
    • Headquarter: New Delhi
    • Responsibilities: Development, maintenance, and management of National Highways, and any other matter incidental thereto. NHAI advises the government on National Highways issues and provides consultancy in India and abroad. It also carries out research activities to fulfil its mandate.
    • Composition: Chairman and not more than five members appointed by the Central Government.
  • National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL):
    • Its creation was approved by the Central Cabinet in March 2014.
    • It is a fully owned company under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
    • It is mandated with the construction, widening, and upgrading of the National Highways in the areas that share international boundaries with neighbouring countries.
  • National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML)
    • It was created by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in 2020.
    • It is a 100% owned subsidiary of NHAI.
    • It is tasked with the development of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks for Cargo Traffic and first and last mile Port Connectivity Roads projects under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.
  • Indian Highway Management Company Ltd. (IHMCL)
    • It was incorporated in 2012 under the Companies Act, 1956, jointly by the NHAI with Concessionaires and Financial Institutions.
    • Its mandate is to carry out Electronic Tolling and other ancillary projects of NHAI.

Steps that led to rapid road development

Major Government Schemes For Road Development

  • Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
    • It was started in the year 2000, to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural areas.
    • It is implemented under the overall authority of the Ministry of Rural Development.
    • It is a fully funded centrally sponsored scheme i.e. 60% Centre and 40% states except for Northeastern states and Himalayan states (90:10 share). 75 paise/litre of the cess levied on high speed diesel is earmarked for this scheme.
    • Eligibility criteria:
      • In plain areas, 500 persons and above.
      • Hilly states, the desert areas, tribal areas and selected tribal and backward districts, 250 persons and above.
      • 100 persons and above for critical Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
    • Maintenance of rural roads is the responsibility of state governments.
    • It is monitored by an e-governance tool Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System or OMMAS GIS.
  • Bharatmala Pariyojana
    • It is an umbrella scheme under the MoRTH for development in the highway sector.
    • Objectives of this scheme:
      • To bridge critical gaps in infrastructure to smoothen passenger and freight movement.
      • To improve road connectivity in the North East.
      • To increase efficiency of existing infrastructure and to promote multi-modal integration.
    • In Phase-I, around 34,800 km of National Highways are to be constructed. The initial deadline was by the end of year 2022 but it was pushed by six years to 2027-28 due to delays.
    • It is to be implemented by various agencies such as NHAI, NHIDCL, State Road Development Corporations, etc.

Challenges

Conclusion of Development of Roads

Road infrastructure plays a significant role in the growth of any economy. Road development brings prosperity, generates employment, and helps sustain growth in the long term. However, the challenges in the sector need to be addressed with high priority. The progress made in this sector in the last three decades is an impressive feat. However, to achieve SDG 9, the pace of development in the sector needs to be sustained so that functioning and resilient infrastructure are made available to all.

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