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Length of National Highways in India from 2005 to 2023, by State

UID: IS-20241116-IN-06

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Source

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.

Last Updated

November 20, 2024

Time Range

2005 – 2023

Periodicity

Annual

Overview

National Highways (NH) length is a key metric in assessing the development and connectivity of a country’s road infrastructure. National Highways are the backbone of a nation’s transport system, facilitating inter-state travel, trade, and economic integration.  In India, the total length of National Highways has seen significant growth over the years, reflecting increased investments in infrastructure under programs like the Bharatmala Pariyojana. As of 2024, India boasts around 145,000 kilometres of National Highways, constituting about 2% of the total road network but handling more than 40% of total traffic. These highways are classified into primary corridors (connecting major cities), secondary corridors, and border roads. Efforts to enhance the length and quality of NHs focus on four-laning, expressway development, and widening projects. A robust highway network promotes regional integration, reduces travel time, and fosters economic development, highlighting its pivotal role in national growth strategies.

Trends & Insights

The national highway network in India doubled in size from 65,569 kilometres in 2005 to 144,955 kilometres in 2023, which reflects India’s commitment to improving its transportation infrastructure. The most dramatic period of growth occurred between 2012 and 2017, when the total length increased by about 43,675 kilometres, representing an unprecedented expansion phase. The length of Maharashtra’s national highway system increased significantly from 4,176 kilometres in 2005 to 18,459 kilometres in 2023. This nearly 340% increase strengthened Maharashtra’s position as one of India’s major economic hubs and established it as a vital transportation hub. Subsequent to Maharashtra, states like Madhya Pradesh (9,105 km), Rajasthan (10,706 km), and Uttar Pradesh (12,270 km) also reported significant highway networks, which is indicative of their vast geographic areas and economic significance. Some northeastern states, such as Sikkim, have demonstrated remarkable relative growth despite having smaller networks because of their geographic size. Sikkim’s network grew by more than 1000%, from 62 kilometres in 2005 to 709 kilometres in 2023. During this period, some smaller states and union territories notably kept their highway lengths comparatively constant. For example, Chandigarh’s network shrank from 24 to 15 kilometres, whereas Delhi’s network stayed mostly stable, expanding slightly from 72 to 157 kilometres. It is clearly evident that the majority of the states experienced significant increases in their highway length between 2013 and 2014, suggesting an apparent policy shift during this time. States like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Bihar also showcased consistent growth patterns, indicating ongoing investment in highway infrastructure. The most recent years (2021–2023) demonstrated sustained but more gradual growth, suggesting that highway development is in a mature stage where the emphasis may be moving from rapid expansion to network optimisation and quality enhancement. Through increased connectivity and the facilitation of trade and movement throughout the nation, the extensive expansion of the national highway network over the past 18 years has been essential in bolstering India’s economic growth.

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Citation

Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. (2024). Length of National Highways in India from 2005 to 2023, by State (360 Analytika, Ed.) [Dataset]. https://360analytika.com/length-of-national-highways-in-india-by-state/

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