The Central Government Of India is developing an extensive network of highways and expressways throughout the nation with the intention of enhancing user convenience, as well as increasing economic activity and internal security. India is fast progressing toward becoming one of the countries in the world with the highest length of roads. This is being undertaken under the Bharatmala Project and other Central Government Schemes.

17 Major Expressways In 2024-2027 Under Bharatmala Initiative

With the construction of 17 priority expressways, the groundwork for India’s expressways will be laid between 2024-2027. The major highway projects are set to be completed in a phased manner. Culminating in a fully functional express network by 2026, these roads hold the potential to ease mobility across the country. Here is a complete list with their expected lengths:

1. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway – 1350 KM
2. Dwarka Expressway – 29.1 KM
3. Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg – 701 KM
4. Ganga Expressway – 594 KM
5. Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway – 650 KM
6. Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway – 109 KM
7. Bangalore-Chennai Expressway – 260 KM
8. Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway – 464 KM
9. Narmada Expressway – 1300 KM
10. Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway – 62 KM
11. Gorakhpur-Shamli Expressway – 700 KM
12. Amas-Darbhanga Expressway – 230 KM
13. Faridabad–Jewar Airport Expressway – 31.4 KM
14. Raxaul–Haldia Expressway – 719 KM
15. Agra–Bareilly Expressway – 228 KM
16. NH-913, Arunachal Frontier Highway – 1700 KM
17. Aligarh–Palwal Expressway – 32 KM

These roads aim to reinforce the mantra “One India, Fast India” due to their fast and easy cross-country mobility features.

Airstrip Highways Breakthrough For Emergencies and Defense Strategy

During wartimes, the Indian government’s new strategy of allowing fighter jets to land on expressways or highways will allow for quick emergency responses. To facilitate this, India has begun development on landing strips on existing and new expressway highways.

5 Strategic Highway Airstrips in India:

Agra-Lucknow Expressway (Unnao, Uttar Pradesh)

• Airstrip Length: 3.2 KM
• Highlight: In 2017, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, and su-30MKI aircraft successfully landed.
• India’s first expressway utilized for the air force activities.

Purvanchal Expressway (Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh)

• Airstrip Length: 3.2 KM
• Inauguration: 2021
• Demo: Live takeoff and landing by Mirage-2000 and AN-32.

Yamuna Expressway (near Jewar, Uttar Pradesh)

• Trial Landing: Mirage-2000 in 2015.
• Note: First highway used for runway trials by the IAF, though not a permanent airstrip.

National Highway 925A (Gandhav Bhakasar, Barmer, Rajasthan)

• Length: 3.5 KM
• Opened: September 2021
• Aircraft Used: Rafale, Jaguar, Su-30MKI.

National Highway 16 (Balasore, Odisha)

• Purpose: Strategic defense exercises
• Significance: Close to Chandipur and Wheeler Island defense bases.
• Smart Infrastructure: A Boost to Economy, Defense & Tourism

These Projects are expected to transform the economy by drastically improving the infrastructure for travel and trade, along with changing the tourism landscape and strengthening national defense. With the integration of highways and airstrips, India is advancing into the era of smart infrastructure, enhancing its global positioning as a secure and progressive nation.