India’s Expressway Boom: New Corridors Cut Travel Time by More Than Half.

National highway network expands over 60% in a decade, strengthening connectivity, logistics and economic growth.

India’s expanding expressway network is transforming road travel by significantly reducing journey times between major cities. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the national highway network grew from approximately 91,287 km in 2015 to over 1,46,572 km in FY2026, an increase of more than 60%. Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I, approved in 2017 with an estimated investment of ₹5.35 lakh crore, the government planned to develop 34,800 km of highways and economic corridors. By February 2026, projects covering 26,425 km had been awarded, with 22,223 km completed. Several expressways have delivered substantial travel-time savings. The Delhi–Meerut Expressway reduced the journey from around 2.5 hours to approximately 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, fully opened to the public on April 14, 2026, cut travel time from nearly six hours to around 2.5 hours. These infrastructure developments are improving regional connectivity, facilitating freight movement and supporting economic activity across urban and industrial centres.