Seven poll-bound states including UP, Gujarat, Punjab on road to get 25% of NHs

New Delhi: Nearly a quarter of national highways to be built in FY27 will be in seven states slated to go to polls next calendar year, according to the road ministry. These states will also get nearly 20% of total projects to be awarded this year as the Centre sharpens focus on infrastructure development to win state elections.

Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa, where assembly elections are due in 2027, will see 24.1% of total highway construction, while 18.3% of highways awarded will be in these seven states, shows an internal office memorandum of the ministry, a copy of which was seen by ET.

A total of 2,204 km of highways will be awarded in these states while 2,238 km will be built in 2026-27, the document showed.

"Highway projects signal the pace of development in any state," said a senior government official. "Over the next six months, priority approvals are expected for road projects in these states while the pace of construction will also go up."

The ministry has set an internal target of awarding 12,000 km of roads and constructing 9,700 km of national highways this fiscal year through three implementing agencies.

Of this, the ministry's road wing will award 5,600 km of highways and build 3,900 km, while the NHAI will award 5,200 km and build 4,950 km. The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) will award 1,200 km and construct 850 km of highways.

The road ministry's construction target of 9,700 km for 2026-27 is modest compared to an estimated 9,400 km built in FY26. However, targets for award are 71.4% higher at 12,000 km versus 7,000 km awarded last fiscal year.

The BJP-led government is already in power in five of the seven states headed to the polls except Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.