Management Perspectives

The Bharatmala project focuses on enhancing connectivity, reducing travel times, and integrating remote areas into the economy through new corridor construction and road upgrades. Despite challenges like land acquisition and funding, it progressed with streamlined approvals, community engagement, innovative financing, and advanced technologies. By mid-2024, significant milestones were achieved, marking a crucial step towards India’s sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life.

Introduction

The Bharatmala project, launched by the Central Government in October 2017 under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is a monumental effort aimed at reshaping India’s road infrastructure landscape. It aims to develop 83,677 km of highways and roads with an investment of approximately R7 lakh crore. Designed to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding economy, Bharatmala is a strategic endeavour to modernise and expand the country’s extensive road and highway network. It recognises the critical need for efficient transportation systems that can support growing trade volumes, facilitate smooth movement of goods and people, and integrate remote regions into the national economy. The implementing agencies of this project are (i) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), (ii) National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and (iii) State Public Works Department. The goals of Bharatmala are multifaceted, aiming to optimise the efficiency of goods and people movement across the country. It plans to achieve this by constructing 50 new national corridors and connecting 550 districts through national highways (NH) linkages. This ambitious initiative seeks to transform India’s road connectivity and contribute significantly to its economic development.

Background and objectives

The primary objectives of the Bharatmala project are multifaceted and strategic which include:

1. Improving connectivity and accessibility: Central to Bharatmala’s vision is the enhancement of connectivity between major urban centres, industrial hubs, ports, and economic corridors across the length and breadth of India to facilitate seamless movement of goods and passengers. By constructing new roads and upgrading existing highways, the project aims to reduce travel times, lower logistics costs, and streamline the movement of goods and passengers. This strategic connectivity boost is expected to catalyse economic activities in previously underserved regions, fostering regional development and economic integration.
2. Boosting economic Growth: The project’s overarching goal is to stimulate economic growth by optimising transportation efficiencies. Improved road infrastructure not only accelerates the pace of commerce but also attracts investments, spurs industrial growth, and enhances overall productivity. By creating smoother logistics networks, Bharatmala aims to strengthen India’s position as a global trade hub and facilitate seamless movement of goods within the country.
3. Safety and efficiency enhancements: Bharatmala prioritises the upgrade of highways to meet contemporary standards of safety and efficiency. By widening roads, implementing modern traffic management systems, and enhancing road signage and lighting, the project aims to reduce accidents and enhance overall road safety. Moreover, improved infrastructure will accommodate the increasing volume of traffic, ensuring smoother and safer journeys for commuters and cargo alike.
4. Environmental and social considerations: Amidst its ambitious development goals, Bharatmala is also committed to sustainable practices and minimising environmental impact. The project includes provisions for environmental assessments and mitigation measures to ensure that road construction and expansion are carried out responsibly. Furthermore, the project aims to create employment opportunities both directly through construction activities and indirectly through boosted economic activities, thereby contributing to social welfare and inclusive growth.

Key features and components

1. Development of economic corridors: Construction of new greenfield express ways and economic corridors spanning thousands of kilometres to connect major industrial hubs, agricultural centres, and ports across the country is an integral part of the Bharatmala project. These corridors are designed to reduce travel time and costs significantly.
2. Strengthening border and coastal roads: Strengthening road infrastructure along India’s borders and coastlines to improve connectivity in remote and strategic areas is also a vital component of the Bharatmala project. This component aims to enhance national security while facilitating smoother trade and travel.
3. Upgradation of national highways: Upgrading and widening existing national highways to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and lower transportation costs for freight and passenger vehicles is another crucial component of the Bharatmala project.
4. Integration with international trade routes: Another key component of the Bharatmala project includes creating robust road networks that seamlessly integrate with ports and border crossings to facilitate efficient movement of goods for international trade. This integration aims to reduce transit times and costs, thereby boosting India’s trade competitiveness globally.

Implementation challenges

1. Land acquisition issues: One of the foremost challenges faced by the Bharatmala project is acquiring land for constructing new roads and widening existing highways. Land acquisition in India is governed by various laws and regulations, which often lead to delays and disputes. The process involves negotiations with landowners, compensation settlements, and sometimes faces resistance from local communities concerned about displacement and loss of livelihoods.
2. Environmental concerns: Building new roads and highways under the Bharatmala project necessitates careful environmental assessments and compliance with environmental regulations. This initiative can potentially impact biodiversity, water resources, and ecosystems. To mitigate these impacts, it is essential to carry out comprehensive environmental impact assessments, put in place mitigation measures, and secure the required approvals from environmental authorities, though this process can be quite time-consuming.
3. Funding constraints: The scale and scope of Bharatmala require substantial financial resources. While the Indian government has allocated significant funds for the project, funding constraints remain a challenge. Innovative financing models such as publicprivate partnerships, infrastructure bonds, and international loans are being explored to bridge the funding gap. However, securing adequate and timely funding remains crucial to maintaining project momentum and meeting completion targets.
4. Technical complexities: The technical complexities associated with road construction and modernization are another challenge for Bharatmala. Building new express ways, upgrading existing highways, implementing advanced traffic management systems, and ensuring road safety require specialized engineering expertise and advanced technologies. Adapting to diverse geographical terrains and environmental conditions across different regions of India adds further complexity to project planning and execution.
5. Regulatory and administrative hurdles: Navigating through regulatory frameworks, obtaining necessary permits, and adhering to bureaucratic procedures can pose significant hurdles for Bharatmala. Delays in obtaining approvals and clearances from multiple government agencies can slow down project timelines and escalate costs. 6.

Socio-economic impacts:

Road construction projects under Bharatmala may also have socio-economic implications. Displacement of communities, disruptions to local economies, and changes in land use patterns are some of the socioeconomic issues that need to be addressed sensitively. Engaging with local stakeholders, conducting social impact assessments, and implementing resettlement and rehabilitation measures are essential for minimizing negative impacts and promoting inclusive development.

Mitigation strategies and progress

Strategies to mitigate the project’s challenges reflect a proactive approach by the Indian government:

1. Streamlined approval processes: Recognising the need for expedited project time lines, the government has focused on streamlining approval processes and regulatory clearances. This includes reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing coordination among different departments and agencies involved in project approvals. By simplifying procedures, the aim is to minimise delays and ensure projects can proceed swiftly from planning to execution stages.
2. Community engagement: Community engagement has been a cornerstone of the Bharatmala project’s strategy to address local concerns and ensure inclusive development. Proactive engagement with local communities and stakeholders helps in understanding their needs, addressing grievances, and garnering support for project initiatives. This engagement not only fosters transparency but also promotes socio-economic development by involving local populations in decision-making processes. 3.
3. Innovative financing: To overcome funding constraints, Bharatmala has explored innovative financing mechanisms and diversified funding sources. This includes leveraging public-private partnerships, infrastructure bonds, sovereign funds, and seeking international investments and loans. By tapping into alternative financing avenues, the project aims to secure adequate financial resources to sustain momentum and meet ambitious infrastructure development targets.
4. Technology adoption: The adoption of advanced technologies plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient project management, monitoring, and maintenance across Bharatmala’s expansive network. Technologies such as Geographic Information System mapping, remote sensing, and real-time project tracking systems enhance decision-making capabilities and enable proactive risk management. Additionally, the use of technology aids in optimizing resource allocation, improving construction quality, and enhancing overall project efficiency.
5. Environmental sustainability: Environmental sustainability is a key priority embedded within Bharatmala’s framework. The project adheres to stringent environmental norms and conducts rigorous Environmental Impact Assessments for each phase of construction. Mitigation measures are implemented to minimise ecological footprint, protect biodiversity, and mitigate adverse environmental impacts. This commitment to sustainable practices ensures that infrastructure development under Bharatmala is harmonised with environmental conservation goals.

Conclusion

As of mid-2024, Bharatmala has made significant progress despite facing challenges. Several new highway stretches have been completed, improving connectivity and reducing travel times, thereby enhancing citizens’ quality of life. By December 2023, contracts for 26,418 km (76 per cent of 34,800 km) had been awarded, with approximately 15,549 km completed. Ongoing projects across various states are advancing, bolstering infrastructure and economic opportunities in underserved regions. However, an audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), released on August 10, 2023, highlighted shortcomings in the project’s implementation. The report highlighted the lack of a systematic prioritisation method and ambiguous completion time lines. By March 2023, contracts had not been awarded for 46 per cent of the length of 11 high-priority corridors. Additionally, the report noted rising sanctioned costs and substantial revisions in cost estimates. As of March 2023, 76 per cent of the projects sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had secured contracts, exceeding the allocated CCEA funds by 158%. Furthermore, the CAG report revealed that a substantial number of Bharatmala projects initiated tender notices without appraisal by the Project Appraisal and Technical Scrutiny Committee. Despite these challenges, the project has already improved road safety standards and transportation efficiency for goods and passengers. Looking ahead, Bharatmala remains a crucial initiative in India’s infrastructure development strategy, aligned with the nation’s goal of sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life. Continued focus on mitigation strategies, technological advancements, and community engagement will be essential to overcome remaining challenges and fully realize Bharatmala’s potential as a catalyst for national development. As the project advances, its successful completion is set to leave a lasting impact on India’s 21st-century development, establishing new benchmarks in infrastructure excellence and economic integration.