Centre to Monitor Socioeconomic Benefits of Highways

Centre to Monitor Socioeconomic Benefits of Highways

Why in the News ?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has directed highway agencies to submit detailed impact reports on Bharatmala Pariyojana projects, measuring socioeconomic, environmental, and logistic outcomes to ensure public investments yield tangible macroeconomic and social benefits.

Centre to Monitor Socioeconomic Benefits of Highways

New Outcome Framework for Highway Projects:

  • The Centre has instructed agencies under MoRTH to prepare detailed reports on the socioeconomic outcomes of national highway projects.
  • The initiative targets projects under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I and future highway expansions.
  • Metrics will include travel time reduction, fuel efficiency, user satisfaction, logistics impact, road safety, and environmental sustainability.

Monitoring and Implementation Mechanism

  • The directive has been issued to heads of key organisations like NHAI, NHIDCL, Border Roads Organisation, and others.
  • Outcome indicators are to be assessed periodically to capture both direct and indirect impacts.
  • It aims to ensure that public infrastructure investment translates into measurable benefits for the economy and society.

Connectivity and Economic Assessment

  • Projects will be evaluated based on their connectivity to economic nodes within 25 km and markets or mandis within 10 km of the highway.
  • This mapping will help assess whether the infrastructure improves market access, reduces logistics costs, and enhances regional development.
  • The move reflects a shift from input-based to outcome-based infrastructure evaluation.

About NHAI (National Highways Authority of India):

●      Autonomous agency under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

●      Established in 1995 under the NHAI Act, 1988.

●      Responsible for development, maintenance, and management of National Highways.

●      Implements major projects like Bharatmala and NHDP.

●      Works through PPPs and EPC models.

●      Key focus: Road quality, safety, and connectivity.

About NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.):

●      A fully-owned company under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

●      Set up in 2014 to develop roads in challenging terrains like the Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.

●      Focus on strategic, border, and backward area connectivity.

●      Executes infrastructure in remote and difficult locations.

●      Ensures sustainable and inclusive development.

About Border Roads Organisation (BRO):

●      A semi-military organisation under the Ministry of Defence.

●      Formed in 1960 for constructing and maintaining roads in border and strategic areas.

●      Key role in defence logistics, especially in Himalayan regions.

●      Builds roads, bridges, tunnels in extreme conditions.

●      Crucial for national security, disaster relief, and regional development.