The government has extended the deadline for completion of the flagship highway development project Bharatmala Phase-I to 2027-28, a full six years from the original schedule. The move follows an over 100% increase in the estimate cost of the mega project to nearly Rs 11 trillion, and reflects the slowing of implementation, and financial constraints.
The first-phase of Bharatmala was announced in 2017 and was to be completed by 2022.
“It is the ministry of road transport and highways’ (MoRTH) endeavour to award all projects on completion of land acquisition and obtaining all clearances by the end of 2024-25,” a senior official said.
