India intends to quintuple its high-speed road network over the next ten years, committing Rs 11 lakh crore ($125 billion) to enhance infrastructure and reduce logistics expenses, according to sources familiar with the situation. The nation plans to construct 17,000 kilometers (10,563 miles) of access-controlled roads that enable drivers to travel at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, providing quicker, safer, and more efficient connectivity compared to traditional highways, as stated by the sources, who requested anonymity due to regulations.
Approximately 40% of the proposed network is currently under construction and is expected to be completed before 2030, while work on the remaining corridors is anticipated to commence by 2028 and conclude by 2033, the sources indicated. India’s initiative reflects similar efforts by other major economies to revamp transport infrastructure and lower logistics costs. Since the 1990s, China has constructed over 180,000 kilometers of expressways, while the United States maintains more than 75,000 kilometers of interstate highways. As of March this year, India’s national highway network spanned more than 146,000 kilometers, yet only 4,500 kilometers meet high-speed criteria, according to the sources. While India’s expressway initiative may be relatively modest in scale, it is notable for its ambitious timeline and dependence on a hybrid financing model to draw in private investment. For the fiscal year ending March 2026, the government has raised the budget allocation to 2.9 trillion rupees for roads and highways.
