Traditional GK

Bharat Mala Project

Introduction:

The communication system is the basis for measuring the progress of any country. It is believed that the better the communication system, the more advanced the country. Hence, the Bharatmala scheme is an umbrella program run by the central government to establish India as a more progressive country through the establishment of well-structured communication infrastructure. The scheme, administered by the Ministry of Roads of India, aims to bridge the infrastructural gaps in India's National Highway Network by constructing about 83,677 km of roads at an estimated cost of Rs 16.63 lakh crore and connecting more areas to it.

Table of contents:

1. What is the Bharat Mala project?
2. Objectives of the Bharat Mala Project
3. Bharat Mala project details
4. Bharat Mala project list
5. Bharat Mala project cost
6. How will the Bharat Mala project benefit the country?
7. Challenges of the Bharat Mala Project

1. What is the Bharat Mala project? 

This Bharatmala project, directed by the Transport and Highways Minister of India Shri Nitin Gadkari, is an ongoing project that will interconnect 550 district headquarters by constructing 50 new corridors with a minimum of four-lane highways. It is also a cooperative project in the sense of purposeful connectivity for the Northern Path route. The development of various tunnels, the construction of a ring road, the construction of a logistics park, the construction of improved roads to cover the whole of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, and the construction of new roads in the Himalayan region—Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and then Uttar Pradesh—are part of this project. Apart from border areas and Bihar, the project will expand the roadway in Terai, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and just above the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur and Mizoram.

2. Objectives of the Bharat Mala Project?

The Bharat Mala Project is a government initiative to strengthen and improve the communication system in different parts of India. The main objectives of the Bharat Mala Project are:

• Improved Connectivity: A seamless transport system can strengthen connectivity by contracting improved roads in various coastal areas of India, including border areas.
• Economic development: Improved communication infrastructure supports the development of many industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, which directly improves trade and economic infrastructure.
• Strengthening of Border Infrastructure: Strengthening the infrastructure of border regions by connecting India's border regions with other regions of India through improved road systems.
• Promotion of the tourism industry: An improved communication system is essential to developing the tourism industry in those places by helping tourists reach remote areas of India with natural beauty.
• Creation of employment: The construction of new roads can strengthen the communication infrastructure on the basis of which various industries are developed, and employment is created for many people.
• Regional Development: Development of regions by connecting marginal areas with developed areas through good road services and connecting economically backward areas with the core economy.

In general, the Bharat Mala project will enable the overall development of the country by connecting different regions of the country and improving the communication system across India.

3. Bharat Mala project details:

Bharat Mala Plan is an ambitious scheme of the Government of India aimed at improving the country's road infrastructure and economic growth. Some key points included are:

• Main objectives: The objective of the Bharat Mala Plan is to improve road connectivity for economic growth and national integration.
• Scope: In the first phase, the development of 34,800 km of highways cost ₹5.35 lakh crore ($75 billion). In the second phase, around 48,000 km of road infrastructure will be built, at an estimated cost of ₹10 lakh crore ($130 billion).
• Components: Improving the efficiency of Economic Corridors, Border and Coastal Roads, Greenfield Expressways and National Corridors.
• Implementation: Funded from government allocations, borrowings, toll revenue and private investment led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• Benefits: The benefits of the Bharat Mala project are reduced travel time, economic growth, improved road safety, and environment-friendly construction practices.
• Challenges: The Bharat Mala project faces various challenges, such as land acquisition, sustainable financing and coordination among stakeholders.
• Project progress: Various expansion projects under the Bharat Mala Plan are at various stages of implementation, including detailed project reports, land acquisition and construction.

4. Bharat Mala project list:

Here is some of the major road projects under the Bharat Mala Service aimed at increasing connectivity, reducing travel time, and boosting economic growth across India:

1. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: A high-speed corridor connecting Delhi and Mumbai.
2. Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway: A rute that connects two major economic hubs of South India.
3. Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway: A major highway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur.
4. Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway: Its purpose is to expand connectivity between Punjab and Gujarat.
5. Bangalore-Chennai Expressway: A direct route between Bangalore and Chennai.
6. Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway: An important corridor for Western India.
7. Kolkata-Dhanbad Expressway: It is a major road to improve connectivity in Eastern India.
8. Ganga Expressway: A major route along the river Ganga.
9. Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway: This connects two major cities of Uttar Pradesh.
10. Nagpur-Hyderabad-Bangalore Economic Corridor: Route to facilitate trade and tourism in Central and South India.
11. Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway: Its purpose is to increase access to northern cities and places of pilgrimage.
12. Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor: To enhance connectivity between Central India and the East Coast.
13. Surat-Solapur Economic Corridor: It aims to improve travel between Gujarat and Maharashtra.
14. Chennai-Salem Corridor: A corridor that enhances connectivity within Tamil Nadu.

These strategic projects are crucial to India's infrastructure development and support economic growth.

5. Bharat Mala project cost:

The Bharat Mala Project is a large-scale infrastructure project planned for the improvement of the country's road transport system as well as significant financial investment for economic prosperity and overall development of the country. Here is a breakdown of project costs:

• Overall Cost: The estimated cost of this project is around ₹10 lakh crore (about $130 billion).
  • First stage
• Estimated Cost: The estimated cost of this phase is ₹5.35 lakh crore (about $75 billion).
• Scope: Development of 34,800 km of highways.
• Ingredients:

1. Economic Corridor: ₹1.20 lakh crore
2. Inter-corridor and feeder routes: ₹80,000 crore
3. Efficiency improvement of National Corridor: ₹1.60 lakh crore
4. Border and International Link Roads: ₹25,000 crore
5. Coastal and Port Link Road: Rs 20,000 crore
6. Greenfield Expressway: ₹60,000 crore
7. Balanced road works: ₹90,000 crore
   • Second stage

• Estimated Cost: The estimated cost of this episode is around ₹4.65 lakh crore (around $60 billion).
• Scope: Development of additional 48,000 km of roads.

The Bharat Mala Project is a transformative initiative designed to revamp India's road infrastructure and promote seamless connectivity and economic development.

6. How will the Bharat Mala project benefit the country?

The Bharat Mala Plan provides immense benefits to India, improving various aspects of national growth and development.

• Economic growth

1. Significantly reduces transportation costs and travel time, facilitating the movement of goods.
2. Upgraded infrastructure supports increased economic activity, driving GDP growth.
3. Improved port, border, and international route connections encourage trade expansion.

• Improve connectivity

1. By connecting remote and rural areas with urban centers, we support regional development.
2. Strengthens inter-regional relations and promotes national unity.
3. Increases rural access to markets, health care, and education.

• social influence

1. Creates employment during the construction and subsequent maintenance phases.
2. Modern road design and improved infrastructure reduce accident rates.
3. Reduced travel time increases productivity and improves the quality of life.

• Environmental impact

1. Uses environmentally friendly and sustainable construction methods.
2. Smoother traffic flow and less congestion reduce vehicle emissions.

• Strategic advantage

1. An improved road network increases access to border areas for defense operations.
2. Improved roads enable faster emergency response and disaster management.

• Regional development

1. Promotes equitable development through infrastructure improvements in disadvantaged areas.
2. Increased road accessibility increases the flow of tourists, benefiting the tourism sector.

The Bharat Mala project is poised to revolutionize India's road infrastructure, spur economic growth, increase connectivity, and improve the quality of life of citizens across the country.

• Challenges of the Bharat Mala Project:

The Bharat Mala Plan, despite being ambitious and transformative, faces several challenges that could affect its implementation and success. Namely:

1. Land acquisition: Delays in land acquisition due to continuous legal disputes and resistance of landowners to secure land for road projects, as well as high costs of compensation and rehabilitation, stretch the project budget.
2. Financial Constraints: There is a need to ensure consistent and adequate funding from government allocations and to attract public-private investments and partnerships by creating an attractive investment climate.
3. Social and Natural Concerns: Large-scale construction can lead to deforestation, habitat loss, and ecological imbalances, resulting in social and natural concerns.
4. Implementation and Coordination: Efficient project management and supervision for coordination of multiple projects across different regions, as well as effective collaboration between different government departments and agencies, are crucial.
5. Technical Challenges: Ensuring durability and safety of infrastructure while maintaining high construction standards and constructing roads in difficult terrains like hills and forests is a significant challenge.
6. Legal hurdles: Navigating regulatory approvals and ensuring compliance with environmental and other regulatory requirements is often time-consuming due to delays resulting from potential legal disputes at various stages of the project.
7. Social and Political Issues: Managing public perception and ensuring transparency in project implementation can hinder the progress of local communities and political resistance.
8. Maintenance and Sustainability: Incorporating long-term sustainability measures to ensure regular maintenance of construction and newly constructed roads.
9. Technology Integration: Integrating advanced technology and ensuring that the workforce is adequately trained to use it is essential for efficient project implementation and management.

Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning, strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.

Conclusion:

The Bharat Mala Project is a landmark initiative of the Government of India that aims to revolutionize the country's road infrastructure to facilitate economic development and ensure efficient transportation of goods across India. Despite facing various challenges, the Bharat Mala project has immense potential to transform India's logistics and transport landscape. Successful implementation of this project will not only boost GDP, trade, and regional development but also improve national cohesion, security, and environmental sustainability. Overall, the Bharat Mala Service represents a bold step towards building a modern, efficient, and resilient road infrastructure that can drive the nation's growth and prosperity for decades to come.

FAQs:

1. In which date was the Bharat Mala project launched?

ANS. The Bharat Mala project was launched on July 31, 2015, by the Union government. The Government of India approved Bharat Mala Pariyojana Phase-I in October 2017.

2. Date of the Bharat Mala project coalition?

ANS. The Bharat Mala Plan scheme was formally approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on October 24, 2017.

3. What is the total length of the Bharat Mala project?

ANS. The Bharat Mala Project aims to build about 34,800 km of highways, including both economic corridors and feeder routes, to improve connectivity and increase economic activity across India.

4. Which state has the highest number of national highways in India?

ANS. As of December 2022, Maharashtra has the country's widest national highway network, 18,459 km, built under the Modi government.

5. Which is the longest highway in India?

ANS. NH 44 is the longest national highway in India. It covers the north-south corridor of the NHDP and is officially listed as running 4,112 km (2,555 mi) from Srinagar to Kanyakumari.

6. Which state has the longest chain of roads?

ANS. Maharashtra has the longest network of national highways (247,652 km) in India.