In a recent review of the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways’ (MoRTH) capital expenditure (Capex) progress, the Secretary highlighted a significant surge in Capex allocation, increasing by 90% from ₹1.42 lakh crore in FY 2019-20 to ₹2.72 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
During a presentation before Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoRTH reported remarkable growth in national highway development over the last decade. The average annual construction rate during 2014-2024 was 2.4 times higher compared to the 2004-2014 period, underscoring the government’s commitment to infrastructure enhancement.
“This increase underscores the government’s focus on building a robust infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing economy,” MoRTH stated. The Secretary emphasised the expansion of 2-lane highways, 2-lane highways with paved shoulders, 4-lane and above highways, and high-speed corridors, which collectively enhance road connectivity, promote economic growth, and improve regional accessibility.
Looking ahead, MoRTH’s Capex plans for FY 2024-25 aim to attract private capital through innovative approaches and achieve asset recycling targets, ensuring sustainable growth in the road transport sector.
Finance Minister Sitharaman stressed the importance of meaningful asset creation for public utility and called on all ministries to expedite project implementation. She urged them to set and achieve quarterly targets, emphasising the need to compensate for Q1 and Q2 delays by the end of Q3 in FY 2024-25, ensuring timely execution of national infrastructure projects.
