India’s national highway network is expanding at a pace few countries can match. In FY2025–26, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) completed over 5,313 km of new highways — surpassing its annual target by 15%. With the Bharatmala Pariyojana programme crossing 22,000 km of completed road and a ₹3.09 lakh crore budget allocation for 2026–27, the transformation of India’s road infrastructure is accelerating. Here’s a comprehensive, up-to-date breakdown of where the expansion stands, which projects matter most, and what it means for travellers and commuters across India.
Table of Contents
- How Does NHAI Plan and Fund National Highway Projects?
- What Did NHAI Achieve in FY2025–26?
- Where Does Bharatmala Pariyojana Stand in 2026?
- Which National Highway Projects Are Under Construction Right Now?
- How Is NHAI Funding New Projects Through Monetisation?
- Which States Are Seeing the Most Highway Activity?
- India’s Highway Progress: Year-on-Year Comparison
- What Does This Mean for Road Travellers in 2026?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
How Does NHAI Plan and Fund National Highway Projects?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), established under the NHAI Act 1988, is responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing India’s national highway network. It operates under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). In 2026, India’s total national highway network stands at over 1,46,000 km — the second largest in the world after the United States.
NHAI funds its projects through a combination of:
- Central government budget allocations (₹3.09 lakh crore in 2026–27 — an 8% increase over revised FY26 estimates)
- Market borrowings and masala bonds
- Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) monetisation — selling operating rights of existing toll roads to private investors
- InvIT (Infrastructure Investment Trust) — NHAI InvIT has raised billions from institutional investors
- Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) contracts with private contractors
- Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concessions for major expressways
NHAI sets annual targets for highway length awarded (contracts signed) and highway length constructed (physically built). In recent years, construction has consistently lagged awarding — meaning the pipeline is robust but execution is the key challenge.
What Did NHAI Achieve in FY2025–26?
FY2025–26 was a strong year for NHAI by construction metrics. Key achievements include:
- 5,313 km of national highways constructed — 15% above the annual target set at the start of the year
- Capital expenditure of ₹2.44 lakh crore deployed across ongoing projects
- 22,223 km completed under Bharatmala Phase I out of 26,425 km awarded
- NH-66 development work on track for completion by August 2026, per Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s statement
- NHAI finalised 17 highway projects spanning 1,692.5 km across 9 states for monetisation in FY2026–27 under TOT and InvIT models
These numbers represent a significant shift from the slower construction pace seen in FY2022–23, when land acquisition delays and contractor financial stress had constrained NHAI’s output to around 10,000 km annually.
Where Does Bharatmala Pariyojana Stand in 2026?
Bharatmala Pariyojana is India’s single largest highway development programme, approved in 2017 with an original investment estimate of ₹5.35 lakh crore for Phase I. The scope and cost have both been significantly revised upward since then — total investment for 83,677 km of committed highways is now estimated at ₹10.63 trillion.
As of mid-2026, the status of Bharatmala Phase I (the core programme) is:
| Metric | Figure (Mid-2026) |
|---|---|
| Total length awarded | 26,425 km |
| Length completed | 22,223 km |
| Remaining to complete | ~4,200 km |
| Target for completion of balance | FY2026–27 |
| Total investment committed | ₹10.63 trillion |
The Bharatmala programme prioritises economic corridors (high freight-traffic routes), inter-corridors (connecting Bharatmala routes with state capitals), ring roads around major cities, and coastal/port connectivity roads. Many of the expressways currently under construction — including greenfield expressways — are part of this programme.
Which National Highway Projects Are Under Construction Right Now?
India has dozens of major highway projects in active construction in 2026. Here are the most significant ones that travellers and logistics professionals should track:
Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (NH-148N)
The 1,386 km Delhi–Mumbai Expressway is India’s longest and widest expressway, completed in 2023. It’s already operational for most of its length. Ongoing work includes finishing touches on service roads, rest areas, and EV charging stations along the route.
Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway
This ~1,260 km greenfield expressway connects Punjab’s Amritsar with Gujarat’s Jamnagar, passing through Rajasthan. It forms part of the broader economic corridor linking the northern grain belt with the western coast’s port infrastructure. Construction is in advanced stages as of 2026, with multiple packages close to completion.
Delhi–Dehradun Expressway
A 210 km access-controlled expressway connecting Delhi and Dehradun via Haridwar, cutting travel time from 5+ hours to under 2.5 hours. This project includes India’s longest wildlife-friendly elevated road section through the Rajaji Tiger Reserve — a first for the country.
Hyderabad Ring Road (ORR) Extensions
Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road is being extended and upgraded under NH designation to ease the city’s freight bypass needs. Similar ring road projects are under development or expansion around Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata under NHAI/state coordination.
Zojila Tunnel (J&K)
The 14.15 km Zojila Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir — India’s longest road tunnel when complete — will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, currently cut off in winter. The Jammu & Kashmir connectivity projects represent one of India’s most strategically significant infrastructure pushes. The tunnel is targeted for completion by late 2026.
NH-66 (Mumbai to Panvel and beyond)
NH-66 development — the coastal highway connecting Mumbai to Kanyakumari — is in final stages. Union Minister Gadkari confirmed in early 2026 that NHAI will complete this stretch by August 2026, significantly improving coastal connectivity for Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
How Is NHAI Funding New Projects Through Monetisation?
One of NHAI’s most important financial strategies in 2026 is asset monetisation — generating capital from already-completed highways to fund new construction, without burdening the central government budget.
In FY2026–27, NHAI has finalised 17 highway projects spanning 1,692.5 km across 9 states for monetisation under the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) and InvIT models. Under TOT, NHAI transfers the right to collect tolls on an existing highway to a private concessionaire for a fixed period (typically 15–30 years) in exchange for an upfront lump-sum payment.
This model has attracted interest from global infrastructure funds, pension funds, and domestic institutional investors. The NHAI InvIT — listed on Indian stock exchanges — provides another route for retail and institutional investors to participate in highway monetisation.
Which States Are Seeing the Most Highway Activity?
Highway construction is not evenly distributed. States with large populations, significant freight activity, or strategic importance tend to receive a disproportionate share of NHAI investment:
| State | Key Projects Active in 2026 | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Ganga Expressways; NH-19, NH-30 | Largest state by road freight volume |
| Rajasthan | Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway | Cross-country corridor transit state |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai Coastal Road, NH-48, NH-66, Nagpur-Mumbai Samriddhi | Highest economic output, port connectivity |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Zojila Tunnel, Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel, Srinagar Ring Road | Strategic border connectivity |
| Tamil Nadu | NH-16, NH-44, Chennai Ring Road Phase 2 | Industrial + port freight hub |
| Andhra Pradesh | NH-16 upgrades, Visakhapatnam connectivity | Coastal freight and new capital region |
India’s Highway Progress: Year-on-Year Comparison
| Financial Year | NH Length Constructed (km) | NH Length Awarded (km) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2020–21 | 13,327 | 12,945 |
| FY2021–22 | 10,457 | 10,457 |
| FY2022–23 | 10,008 | 7,662 |
| FY2023–24 | ~12,000 (est) | ~9,000 (est) |
| FY2024–25 | ~11,500 (est) | ~10,000 (est) |
| FY2025–26 | 5,313 (NHAI portion) | Part of 26,425 km Bharatmala total |
Note: FY2025–26 figures represent NHAI-specific construction, which is a subset of total national highway construction (which includes work by state PWDs and MoRTH directly). Total national highway construction in FY26 is expected to be in the 10,000–12,000 km range across all executing agencies.
What Does This Mean for Road Travellers in 2026?
If you’re a regular road traveller in India, the NHAI expansion programme has tangible, on-the-ground implications:
Faster inter-city travel times
New expressways and 4-laning projects have cut travel times on key corridors dramatically. The Delhi–Agra stretch that once took 4–5 hours in peak traffic now takes under 2.5 hours via the Yamuna Expressway. Similar improvements are happening across the country as new access-controlled roads bypass congested city stretches.
Better rest areas and highway amenities
NHAI has mandated wayside amenity facilities (WAs) every 40–60 km on new expressways — including fuel stations, food outlets, restrooms, ATMs, and EV charging points. This is a significant upgrade from the ad hoc highway dining options of earlier generations of Indian roads.
Ongoing construction disruptions
The flip side of rapid construction is disruption. Active construction zones on the expanded freight corridor routes and ongoing NH widening projects create temporary speed restrictions, detours, and rough road conditions. Always check the NHAI app before a long drive for real-time diversion information.
Higher toll costs — but faster journeys
Toll rates on new expressways are generally higher than on older national highways. The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, for example, carries a premium toll for passenger vehicles. In most cases, the time saving makes the toll cost-effective for commercial and long-distance travellers, but it’s worth checking toll estimates via the IHMCL or MyFASTag app before your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many km of national highways does India have in 2026?
India’s national highway network exceeds 1,46,000 km as of 2026, making it the second largest in the world. This includes both 2-lane rural roads and multi-lane expressways under the national highway designation.
What is Bharatmala Pariyojana?
Bharatmala Pariyojana is India’s flagship highway development programme approved in 2017. Phase I covers 26,425 km of highways including economic corridors, inter-corridors, ring roads, and coastal connectivity roads. As of mid-2026, 22,223 km of Phase I has been completed.
What is NHAI’s budget for 2026–27?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has been allocated ₹3,09,875 crore in 2026–27, representing an 8% increase over the revised estimates for 2025–26 and approximately 6% of India’s total budget outlay for the year.
What is the TOT model used by NHAI for monetisation?
Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) is a model where NHAI transfers the right to collect tolls on an already-completed highway to a private operator for a fixed period — typically 15–30 years — in exchange for an upfront lump-sum payment. This allows NHAI to recycle capital into new highway construction without waiting for toll revenues to accumulate over decades.
Which is India’s longest national highway in 2026?
NH-44 remains India’s longest national highway at approximately 3,745 km, running from Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. It passes through 11 states and is a critical north-south connectivity artery for the country.
How can I check real-time highway conditions in India?
The NHAI app (available on Android and iOS) provides real-time highway condition updates, diversion information, and nearby wayside amenity locations. Additionally, the IHMCL’s MyFASTag app shows toll plaza locations and real-time FASTag balance. Google Maps and MapMyIndia also provide live traffic data on most major national highway corridors.
Conclusion
India’s national highway expansion programme is one of the world’s largest active infrastructure projects — and 2026 represents a mature, high-output phase of this long-running effort. With Bharatmala Phase I nearing completion, NHAI’s aggressive monetisation strategy funding next-generation expressways, and FY26 construction targets being exceeded, the road network Indians travel on in 2030 will look very different from today. For road travellers, the practical advice is simple: use the NHAI app before every long drive, keep your FASTag recharged, and expect that many of India’s most-used highway corridors are simultaneously being upgraded — delivering both short-term disruption and long-term gain. Curious about one of the flagship expressways shaping this expansion? The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway guide is a good place to start.