Road Ministry seeks 25% hike in Budget FY25 allocation

In a strategic move to propel infrastructure development and minimize market borrowings for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sought a 25 per cent increase in budgetary allocation for the year 2024-25. This proposal, amounting to Rs 3.25 lakh crore, reflects the government’s commitment to fortifying the country’s road network while strategically managing NHAI’s financial obligations, government officials said. The decision to seek a higher budget comes on the heels of a challenging year marked by obstacles, including project delays attributed to unpredictable weather conditions and state elections. The Ministry is gearing up for a proactive approach in the upcoming fiscal year, with a focus on substantially increasing the number of project awards to fortify capital expenditure, said an official.