The government has informed Parliament that for the current financial year, construction of about 8600 Km of National Highways has taken place till the third week of March, as against a target of 10,000 Km for FY2025-26.
The update was provided in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 1 April 2026 by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
The minister stated that annual targets for construction of National Highways are set at the beginning of each financial year, taking into account the progress of ongoing projects and those targeted to commence production during the year.
“The Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways sets annual targets for construction of National Highways (NHs) at the beginning of each Financial Year in terms of total length to be constructed, duly considering present progress of ongoing works and projects for which construction is targeted to be started in that particular financial year,” Gadkari said.
He noted that variations in construction pace and targets are primarily due to stricter conditions preceding the award or start of projects.
“The variation in construction pace and targets is primarily on account of stricter conditions precedent for Award / Start of work due to factors such as availability of encumbrance-free land, availability of statutory clearances, shifting focus towards development of more complex Greenfield and access-controlled corridors, and the need to ensure financial prudence and quality of execution,” the minister added.
“For the current financial year, construction of about 8600 km took place till 3rd week of March as against target of 10,000 km,” Gadkari said.
He said the executing agencies are undertaking all necessary and proactive measures to facilitate timely project execution and to endeavor towards achieving the construction targets set for FY26.
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