The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to bid out 124 highway and expressway projects worth Rs 3.4 lakh crore in the current financial year, aiming to boost momentum after a slowdown in project awards over the past two years.

In a move to increase transparency and preparation time for developers, NHAI has placed the entire list of upcoming projects in the public domain. Following the halt of the government’s flagship Bharatmala programme, the pace of awarding projects dropped significantly—from 6,003 km in 2022-23 to 3,339 km in 2023-24, with a marginal rise to 4,008 km in 2024-25. One key reason for the slowdown has been the decision to invite bids only after 90 percent land acquisition.

This year, 78 percent of projects will be offered under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, including high-value corridors such as the 476 km Gorakhpur-Kishanganj-Siliguri highway with an outlay of Rs 35,000 crore, 282 km Patna-Purnea stretch worth Rs 17,076 crore, and 374 km Nashik-Ahmednagar highway at Rs 19,000+ crore).

The remaining projects will be awarded under fully government-funded models, aiming to restore developer confidence and accelerate infrastructure rollout.