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New Delhi: Road network has seen a massive expansion and modernisation in India over the last two decades. This has not only improved connectivity and reduced travel time but also has gone a long way in pushing the economic growth across the country.
In 2000-01, the road network in India was extensive but uneven. The significant lengths of State Highways was around 132,000 km and National Highways was 58,000 km, totaling over 3.3 million km. Many rural areas remained unconnected. The slow transformation started when the PMGSY was launched. This was followed by initiatives like the Golden Quadrilateral and the North-South and East-West Corridors.
Today, India boasts the world’s largest road network at over 6.62 million km, carrying more than 70 % of freight and 85% of passenger traffic. National Highways spanned 1,46,195 km as of early 2025, an increase of about 60% in a decade. As of early 2024, India's State Highway (SH) network was around 1,79,535 km.
National Highways (NH) are pivotal for India’s economic and social development, facilitating efficient movement of freight and passengers while improving access to markets. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and its implementing agencies have rolled out several initiatives to enhance the capacity and quality of the country’s National Highway infrastructure.
It was in 1998 that the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave a major boost to India’s highways through the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). The iconic Golden Quadrilateral connected Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, along with the North-South and East-West corridors. This was done by leveraging innovative financing such as fuel cess and empowering the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The progress of the initiative became evident by 2004.
Since then, the NH network has seen phenomenal growth. From around 91,287 km in 2014, the total length has expanded to around 146,200 km by 2025, marking roughly 60% growth in the last decade. The expansion has been driven by initiatives like Bharatmala Pariyojana, ongoing enhancements under various NHDP phases, and focused development programmes aimed at enhancing strategic and regional connectivity.
National highway construction in India increased at 9.3% CAGR between FY2016-2024. In the FY 2024–25, India built over 10,600 km of National Highways. As of August 2025, the total length of National Highways in the country was 146,204 km, around 5,614 km of National Highways have been constructed against the target of 5,150 km for FY25. NHAI spent a record-breaking Rs 2,07,000 crore on the construction of national highways in the FY24. Highways with four or more lanes have increased many-fold in the last decade.
According to the latest data, India’s State Highway network spans approximately 1,79,535 km. It plays a crucial role in connecting district headquarters, state capitals, and major urban centres. Even though it represents only about 2.8% of the country’s total road length of over 6.3 million km, the network has gradually expanded over the past decade, growing from around 163,898 km in 2010 to 179,535 km in 2025.
Currently, Maharashtra has one of the largest SH networks. It expanded from about 18,000 km in 2010 to more than 21,000 km. These roads link industrial hubs and rural districts. In Tamil Nadu, the SH network grew from around 12,000 km in 2010 to around 13,500 km. Karnataka increased its network from about 14,500 km to 16,500 km. Rajasthan expanded SHs from 12,000 km to around 13,500 km. Uttar Pradesh's SH network grew from around 8,500 km to 10,500 km.
Expressways have played a huge role in India’s road infrastructure, improving long-distance connectivity and enabling faster, smoother travel. They have given tourism boost and supported economic activity.
In January 2001, India’s first 8-lane, access-controlled expressway, the Delhi–Noida Direct Flyway (DND Flyway), started operation. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway became fully operational in 2002. The Yamuna Expressway, a six-lane controlled-access expressway, opened on August 9, 2012. The Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway is set to become the longest expressway in India.
The Delhi–Meerut Expressway, Agra–Lucknow Expressway, and Eastern Peripheral Expressway are accelerating the development of a modern, high-speed road network across India.
