Covid-19 and highway sector: Take the highway to recovery

The Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic ravaging economies worldwide will have a significant impact on the buildout of roads and highways, a key enabler of India’s growth. To appreciate its high multiplier effect on the economy, consider that the Centre alone spent ~ Rs 1.7 lakh crore on it in the last fiscal. Include spending by the states and the figure would probably more than double. With the pandemic throttling prospects of this funding and the economy coming to a standstill, the road signs are clear for the government and the private sector: Go slow, Work in progress.