Trends in National Highway Construction Over the Last 15 Years

The expansion of India’s National Highway (NH) network plays a pivotal role in strengthening connectivity, facilitating trade, and boosting economic development. Over the last 15 years, the country has witnessed a significant transformation in its highway infrastructure, with varying levels of construction activity each year. Understanding these trends helps assess the progress and efficiency of road development initiatives.

Overview of NH Construction Trends India’s highway construction has seen both periods of rapid growth and occasional slowdowns. The length of NHs constructed each year reflects government policies, infrastructure investment, and external factors like economic conditions and global events. The data below provides a detailed look at NH construction from 2010-11 to 2024-25.

Key Highlights of NH Construction:

• 2010-11 to 2014-15: Steady growth, with annual construction increasing from 4,438 km to 6,376 km.
• 2015-16: A slight dip to 5,259 km, possibly due to policy adjustments and project delays.
• 2016-17 to 2017-18: Rapid expansion, peaking at 6,874 km in 2016-17 before a slight decline in 2017-18 (6,723 km).
• 2018-19 to 2020-21: Significant acceleration, with construction reaching a record 13,326 km in 2020-21, driven by major infrastructure initiatives.
• 2021-22 to 2023-24: Continued high levels of construction, averaging over 10,000 km per year, with 12,137 km built in 2023-24.
• 2024-25: A noticeable slowdown, with only 3,913 km constructed so far, potentially due to funding constraints or project execution challenges.

The trends indicate that India’s highway development has been largely progressive, with a few fluctuations influenced by policy shifts and external conditions. Continued investment in NH expansion will be essential for sustaining economic growth and improving nationwide connectivity.