Ahmedabad: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Jairam Gadkari, stated in the Lok Sabha that a total of 69 National Highway (NH) projects worth ₹55,614 crore are currently at various stages of implementation in Gujarat. These projects are planned to be completed in phases, with targets extending up to the financial year 2029-30.

In a written response to the question raised by Rajkot MP Parshottambhai Rupala, Gadkari mentioned that the Rajkot bypass is part of the ongoing six-laning project of the Jetpur-Gondal-Rajkot section of NH-27, which is now scheduled for completion by September 26, 2025. However, he clarified that there is currently no proposal under consideration for the construction of a Himmatnagar bypass.

Providing financial details, Gadkari noted the budget allocations and actual expenditures for the development and maintenance of NHs in Gujarat as follows:

• 2023-24: Allocation ₹10,900 crore; expenditure ₹10,900 crore
• 2024-25: Allocation ₹8,262 crore; expenditure ₹8,091 crore
• 2025-26 (till June 30, 2025): Allocation ₹2,346 crore; expenditure ₹2,163 crore

The minister underlined that the development and upkeep of National Highways is a continuous process and the government remains committed to enhancing connectivity and road infrastructure across the state.

In the same reply, the minister mentioned, “The Government has prioritized the maintenance of existing NH network and inter-alia evolved a mechanism to ensure Maintenance and Repair (M&R) of all NHs sections through accountable maintenance agency including immediate repair of roads damaged due to heavy rains.”

NHs development projects are executed on mainly three modes i.e. (i) Build Operate and Transfer (BOT), (ii) Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and (iii) Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC). Concession period including maintenance for projects on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) is 15 to 20 years and on Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) is generally 15 years. In case of EPC projects, Defect Liability period (DLP) is 5 years for the bituminous pavement works and 10 years for concrete pavement works. For Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) and InvIT (Infrastructure Investment Trust) projects, concession period including maintenance is 20 to 30 years. Concession period for Projects on Operate, Maintain and Transfer (OMT) is generally 9 years. The Contractors/Concessionaires are responsible for maintenance of the respective NHs stretches within the contract/concession period of the project.

For all the remaining sections of NHs stretches, where DLP has ended or is not under any concession period of BOT/HAM/TOT/InvIT project, Government has taken a policy decision to undertake maintenance works through Performance Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) or Short Term Maintenance Contract (STMC). While STMC works are generally undertaken for a contract period of 1-2 year, PBMC works are undertaken for a contract period of about 5-7 years.

Progress of projects is continuously monitored through advanced digital platforms such as Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS) and Data Lake, Bhoomi Rashi portal (for Land Acquisition). In addition, periodic reviews are held at various levels with all stakeholders including officers of executing agencies to resolve pending contractual issues and ensure timely implementation of projects.