Ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways and overall road infrastructure across the country. MoRTH is one of the largest infrastructure ministries in India and plays a critical role in the planning, construction, and upgradation of road infrastructure.
Roles & Responsibilities
1. National Highway Construction & Expansion
- Plans and executes:
- New national highways
- Widening of existing roads
- Upgradation from 2-lane to 4/6-lane highways
- Oversees Bharatmala Pariyojana, India’s largest highway construction program (~65,000 km).
2. Expressway Development
- Constructs high-speed access-controlled expressways
3. Bridges, Flyovers, and Tunnels
- Constructs:
- Rail overbridges (ROBs) and underpasses
- Elevated corridors and interchanges
- Long-span river bridges (e.g., Dhola–Sadiya Bridge in Assam)
- Tunnels in hilly areas (e.g., Zojila and Atal Tunnel)
4. Safety-Oriented Infrastructure
- Builds road safety features into highway designs:
- Crash barriers, rumble strips, signage
- Grade separators, pedestrian walkways, service roads
- Implements black spot rectification through civil improvements.
5. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) & EPC Projects
- Engages in various project models:
- EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction)
- BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer)
- HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model)
- Private contractors and developers are selected through tendering and project finance models.
6. Digital & Green Construction Initiatives
- Digital Project Monitoring Tools (Bhoomi Rashi, INFRACON, e-Pace, etc.)
- Encourages use of alternative materials (fly ash, plastic waste, bitumen alternatives)
- Promotes solar-powered toll plazas, EV charging stations, and wayside amenities.
7. Implementation Through Executing Agencies
MoRTH works through the following major executing bodies:
| Executing Body | Role |
|---|---|
| NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) | Construction, management, and tolling of national highways |
| NHIDCL (National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.) | Develops roads in hilly, border, and northeastern areas |
| State PWDs | Execute projects funded by MoRTH in coordination with states |
8. Construction Standards & Regulations
- Issues IRC (Indian Roads Congress) standards and manuals.
- Enforces:
- Environmental compliance during construction
- Labour safety norms under MoRTH Guidelines
- Quality assurance using field testing and third-party audits
9. Flagship Programs
- Bharatmala Pariyojana
- Setu Bharatam Yojana – construction of 1500+ ROBs across railway crossings
- PM Gati Shakti – for multimodal transport connectivity
List of PSUs/Agencies Under Ministry of MORTH
- National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)
- National Highways and Infrastructure Development (NHIDCL)
- Indian Road Congress (IRC)
- Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE)