India constructed about 10,660 km of national highways in FY25, at an average pace of 29 km per day—down from 34 km/day in FY24 and the all-time record of 37 km/day in FY21
Underlying Shifts & Annual Comparison
- FY24: ~12,349 km built, at ~34 km/day—second-highest in history
- FY25: ~10,660 km total (9% growth compared to prior year), reflecting a 7–10% slowdown largely due to execution delays and strategic shifts
- Execution pace dropped to around 31 km/day, per rating agency estimates
Why the Slowdown?
- Execution Challenges: Delays in award approvals and slow project commencement, especially in Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) projects, slowed progress
- Increasing Complexity: Focus shifted to building greenfield expressways, high-speed corridors, and road upgrades rather than linear expansion
- Election Impact & Weather: Monsoon disruptions and election-related delays affected construction timelines
Despite Challenges, Funding Peaks
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) completed 5,614 km of highways—surpassing its target of 5,150 km—despite slower overall expansion
- Capital expenditure surged to a record ₹2.5 lakh crore, up 21% from FY24, backed by monetization strategies like InvIT and toll securitization
Outlook for FY26
- For FY26, the ministry has set a construction target of ~10,000 km, the lowest since FY19
- The focus is expected to remain on expressway corridors and upgrades, rather than fresh highway linear expansion
✅ Key Takeaways
- Pace dropped to ~29 km/day in FY25 from 34 km/day in FY24, driven by strategic reorientation and execution delays.
- Total built: ~10,660 km of national highways; NHAI specifics: 5,614 km produced.
- Highest-ever capex: ₹2.5 lakh crore, fueling infrastructure quality and expressway development.
- SHIFT IN PRIORITY: From mass linear expansion to complex upgrades and access-controlled corridors.
