- Bharatmala Pariyojana is a road and highways project initiated by the Government of India.
- The project aims to develop an extensive network of highways covering multiple states and regions across the country.
Geographical Coverage:
- The project will involve the construction of highways in a phased manner, starting from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, then extending to the Himalayan states—Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand—along with portions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
- The project further spans West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and reaches up to the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur and Mizoram.
- Special emphasis is placed on providing connectivity to far-flung border and rural areas, including tribal and backward regions.
Key Objectives:
1. Interconnect 550 district headquarters, an increase from the current 300.
2. Develop a minimum 4-lane highway to connect these district headquarters.
3. Increase the number of corridors to 50 (up from the current 6).
4. Shift 80% of freight traffic to National Highways (currently at 40%).
5. Establish 24 logistics parks.
6. Create 66 inter-corridors (IC) covering a total of 8,000 km.
7. Develop 116 feeder routes (FR) covering a total of 7,500 km.
8. Establish 7 multi-modal waterway ports in the North-East.
Integration with Other Schemes:
- Bharatmala Pariyojana is designed to integrate and complement other key government schemes, including Sagarmala, Dedicated Freight Corridors, Industrial Corridors, UDAN-RCS (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik – Regional Connectivity Scheme), BharatNet, Digital India, and Make in India.
- The project acts as both an enabler and beneficiary of these schemes, fostering comprehensive and interconnected development.
Incorporation of Existing Projects:
- The Bharatmala Project subsumes all existing highway projects, including the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) initiated in 1998.
Conclusion:
- Bharatmala Pariyojana is a comprehensive and ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity, facilitating economic development, and ensuring efficient transportation of goods across various regions in India. Its integration with other government schemes reflects a holistic approach to infrastructure development and economic growth.
FAQs
1. What is Bharatmala Pariyojana?
- Bharatmala Pariyojana is a centrally-sponsored and funded ambitious road and highways project launched by the Government of India. It aims to develop and expand the country’s road infrastructure to enhance connectivity and facilitate economic growth.
2. What are the key objectives of Bharatmala Pariyojana?
- The primary objectives of Bharatmala Pariyojana include reducing travel time and logistics costs, improving the efficiency of freight movement, connecting remote areas, enhancing international trade corridors, and boosting economic development in regions with poor road connectivity.
3. How is Bharatmala Pariyojana different from earlier road projects?
- Bharatmala Pariyojana is distinguished by its comprehensive approach, focusing not only on the construction of new highways but also on the development of economic corridors, border and coastal roads, expressways, and feeder routes. It prioritizes connectivity in economically backward regions and areas with strategic importance.
4. How will Bharatmala Pariyojana be funded?
- Bharatmala Pariyojana is primarily funded through a mix of budgetary allocations, market borrowings, and monetization of existing infrastructure assets. The government also encourages private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to leverage additional resources for project implementation.
5. What is the current status of Bharatmala Pariyojana?
- As of [current date], Bharatmala Pariyojana is progressing steadily, with various phases and packages being implemented across the country. Several stretches of highways have been completed, while others are under construction or in the planning stage. The project continues to be a priority for the government to transform India’s road infrastructure and bolster economic growth.
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