Centre mulling separate authority for expressways

According to government insiders who spoke with Business Today TV, the Center is developing a plan to create a distinct body tasked with managing and developing expressways.

Currently being considered internally, the notion is a component of the 100-day plan of the Road Transport and Highways Ministry.

The new expressway body would specifically manage expressways, which have different construction rules and tolling systems, while the National Highway body of India (NHAI) focuses on the construction of national highways. It is believed that this action is necessary to meet the increasing demand for expressway infrastructure.

It is anticipated that the national masterplan for the construction of the expressway and national highway network for 2047 will greatly increase India’s transportation infrastructure network.

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This proposal calls for the construction of 50,000 kilometers of access-controlled expressways throughout India, spaced such that any given site will be within 100–125 kilometers of an expressway. There are currently 2,913 kilometers of access-controlled expressways in the nation.

According to government estimates, the construction of new highways and expressways will increase travel times and save logistics expenses by 3–4%.

There is a major emphasis on modernizing the current highway system in addition to building new greenfield expressways. Between 2014 and 2023, the percentage of highways with fewer than two lanes dwindled from 30% to 10%, while their overall length shrank from 27,517 kilometers to 14,850 kilometers.

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This proposal calls for the construction of 50,000 kilometers of access-controlled expressways throughout India, spaced such that any given site will be within 100–125 kilometers of an expressway. There are currently 2,913 kilometers of access-controlled expressways in the nation.

According to government estimates, the construction of new highways and expressways will increase travel times and save logistics expenses by 3–4%.

There is a major emphasis on modernizing the current highway system in addition to building new greenfield expressways. Between 2014 and 2023, the percentage of highways with fewer than two lanes dwindled from 30% to 10%, while their overall length shrank from 27,517 kilometers to 14,850 kilometers.

Roadways with two lanes or more but fewer than four lanes now make up 58% of the total, or 85,096 kilometers of roadways. The percentage of highways with four lanes or more has increased from 20% in 2014 to 32%, or 46,179 kilometers.

A highway comprises large state or national roadways, local roads, and arterial roads that are intended for the movement of vehicles. Multiple access points, such as junctions, traffic signals, and entrances from local roads, together with reasonable speed limits, are characteristic features of highways.

Expressways, on the other hand, are controlled-access roads with higher speed limits, no crossroads or traffic signals, and restricted entry and departure points. They are built for high-speed traffic. Expressways are built especially to make long-distance travel quicker and more effective.

The national government is thinking about establishing a separate body to oversee expressways, akin to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). This action is in line with the larger Vision 2047 plan to improve the nation’s highway network and deals with the special design and tolling schemes of expressways.