Cabinet clears Rs 7 lakh crore Bharatmala project

Bharatmala is the largest highways project after the National Highway Development Programme

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the Bharatmala project to construct 20,000 km of highways connecting western and eastern parts of the country at an estimated investment of Rs 7 lakh crore. In the first phase to be undertaken over three-five years, the project would cost Rs 5.5 lakh crore. The project would be funded through various sources, including Rs 2.09 lakh crore from the market, Rs 1.06 lakh crore through private investment and Rs 2.19 lakh crore from the central road fund or toll collection. 

In the first phase of the Bharatmala project, the central government plans to construct Rs