Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that around 489 road infrastructure projects, scheduled for completion by March 2025, are still pending. He cited delays in land acquisition, forest and wildlife clearances, and railway-related approvals as major reasons for the hold-up.
In a written reply, Gadkari stated that the central government is working closely with state governments and other concerned agencies to resolve these bottlenecks. He also noted that the cost of several delayed projects has escalated due to rising compensation for land and structures, inflation, GST impact, and public demand for additional infrastructure like vertical or pedestrian underpasses. Modifications to road overbridge or underbridge designs to meet railway standards have also contributed to the delays.
Gadkari added that if a project is excessively delayed and progress under the current contract becomes unfeasible, the existing agreement is terminated and the project is reallocated, with or without changes.
Responding to a separate question, he clarified that the construction of national highways follows Indian Road Congress standards. The speed limits for highways are capped at 120 kmph for expressways and 100 kmph for other national highways, depending on the region.
