Road To Prosperity: India Ahead Of China In Road Network; Can It Surpass US? | Bharatmala

Summary

India boasts the world's second-largest road network, with 63.7 lakh kilometers of roads, and has been rapidly expanding its infrastructure. In 2021, it set three world records in road construction and aims to match the US by 2024. The Bharatmala project, launched in 2017, focuses on connecting economically backward regions and improving major city connectivity. Despite challenges like land acquisition and environmental impact, the government is transparently addressing these issues with green technology and grievance redressal systems, aiming to increase national highways to over 2 lakh kilometers by 2037.

Takeaways

• 🌍 India boasts the world's second-largest road network, surpassed only by the United States.
• 🚧 With 63.7 lakh kilometers of roads, India's infrastructure growth has been rapid, aiming to outpace even China.
• 🏗️ India set three world records in road construction in March 2021 and achieved a Guinness World Record in 2022 for laying 705 km of highway in just 105 hours.
• 💹 The government has significantly increased the budget allocation for roads and highways by 500% since 2014.
• 🛣️ Bharatmala is India's flagship project, focusing on connecting economically backward regions and improving major city connectivity.
• 📈 The cost of the national infrastructure pipeline has doubled, with an aim to improve connectivity through multimodal approaches including roadways, railways, waterways, and airways.
• 🚚 The project aims to enhance goods transportation efficiency and reduce travel time for economic corridors.
• 🌟 India's road infrastructure market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 36.2% from 2016 to 2025, according to a report by EY.
• 🌐 The improved road network is attracting global and domestic attention, with tourists praising the quality of Indian roads.
• 🌉 Notable projects include the Atal Sea in Mumbai, reducing travel time between Navi Mumbai and South Mumbai, and the country's first undersea bridge connecting Worli to Marine Drive.
• 🚧 The government aims to increase the length of national highways to over 2 lakh kilometers by 2037, marking a 60% increase from 2014.

Q & A

Which country has the world's second-largest road network?

India has the world's second-largest road network.

How many kilometers of roads does India have?

India has 63.7 lakh kilometers of roads.

What is the significance of India's road construction pace?

India has been building roads at a record-breaking pace, which is a key indicator of the country's infrastructure development.

What is the role of infrastructure in a country's growth according to the script?

Infrastructure is considered key for a country's growth, as it facilitates economic activity and development.

What are some of the world records India broke in road construction?

In 2021, India broke three world records in road construction, and in 2022, it set a Guinness Book of World Record for laying 705 km of highway in just 105 hours.

What is the name of India's flagship project for roads and highways?

The Bharatmala project is India's flagship project for roads and highways.

What are the main objectives of the Bharatmala project?

The main objectives of the Bharatmala project are to connect roads in economically backward regions, increase connectivity and travel time in major cities, and improve connectivity through multimodal transport.

How has the road and highway budget allocation in India changed since 2014?

Since 2014, India's road and highway budget allocation has increased by 500%.

What is the expected growth rate of India's Road and Highway infrastructure market from 2016 to 2025?

The market is expected to register a CAGR growth of 36.2% from 2016 to 2025.

What are some of the challenges faced in India's road infrastructure development?

Challenges include land acquisition, loss of biodiversity, and social displacement of communities.

How is the Indian government addressing the challenges in road infrastructure development?

The government is making the land acquisition process more transparent, increasing compensation, rehabilitating displaced communities, incorporating green technology in projects, and setting up a grievance redressal management system.