In 2025, a major transformation of Indian highway infrastructure is taking place, influenced by smart technology, sustainability parameters, and the extreme beauty of seamless travel. Highways are no longer mere roads connecting two cities. They are now becoming smart corridors for traffic control in real time. This transformation is a testament to the Indian pursuit of not merely speedier routes, but routes that are smarter, safer, and more efficient.
For example, implementation of HSRP Maharashtra is ensuring vehicle traceability and compliance across the state’s highway networks. Read the article to delve into the concept and recent trends of smart highway infrastructure in India.
Concept of Smart Highways
A smart highway is a road system using technology and tools for road safety, traffic management, and efficiency. With a vision for ‘100 Smart Cities Mission’ in 2015, the idea of smart highways started gaining pace in India.
Since then, technology has certainly influenced highway construction and travel in India. Growing at a CAGR of 19.85% during 2024 – 2029, the smart highway market is indeed attracting the attention of countries worldwide. For instance, the introduction of HSRP Karnataka is another step toward ensuring standardised and tamper-proof number plates for improved vehicle identification on smart highways.
Different factors drive the growth of smart highway infrastructure, and advancing technology is one of the major drivers. Technologies such as laser technology in number plates, cameras, communication systems, fastag toll payments, sensors, and more provide optimal driving environments.
Moreover, the government of India is contemplating ways to transform the entire road network of the country. This transformation and emerging trends in highway constructions in India bring blessings in safety and convenience.
India has also planned to complete various smart highway infrastructure projects by 2025, such as the Bharatmala Project, Mumbai-Delhi Expressway, and Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link.
Emerging Trends in the Construction of Highways in India
The construction of highways is driven by multiple factors that require addressing safety, convenience, maintenance, and other key aspects. A few emerging trends in India regarding the construction of highways are as follows:
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Concern for Road Safety
There are several reports of increasing accidents on the new expressways and highways in India. This negatively impacts the socio-economic aspect of the country. Thus, road safety is currently a top priority for the government to address. As per CRISIL, the Indian GDP faces a loss of 3.14% due to over 1.7 lakh fatalities annually.
So, the government plans to reduce fatalities and road accidents by 50% by 2030. For this, the government encourages the use of additional services for integrating changes in the road planning stage. Moreover, there is a revised Advanced Traffic Management System circular of 2023, which introduces AI-enabled technologies and advanced electronics to improve traffic management.
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Increasing Government Initiatives
The government introduces new initiatives for the construction of new highways and the reconstruction of present highways. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also seen an increase in capital expenditure for transformation in recent years.
The Road Transport and Highways Ministry’s budget also reflects its commitment to improving and maintaining India’s road network. With an investment of Rs 2,600 crore, funding for advancement in smart highway infrastructure is increasing.
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Advancing Technologies
Using digital technologies in smart highway infrastructure is also driving its evolution in 2025. The use of different technologies not only enhances efficiency and accuracy but also helps increase sustainability and safety. These technologies can also help with seamless project execution and enhance stakeholder collaboration.
For instance, using digital twins during a construction project’s lifecycle helps in decision-making by referring to replicas of infrastructure. Moreover, IoT-enabled sensors, advanced analytics, and AI-powered insights help facilitate real-time project monitoring. From maintenance and operation to construction and design, digital equipment adds value to the project’s execution.
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Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is another important element driving evolution in smart infrastructure projects. For instance, using renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels, to power all equipment during construction and after development protects the environment.
They also help in cutting the cost of operation and emissions. This integration, driving smart highway infrastructure in 2025 in India, reduces the emission levels of greenhouse gases.
Bottom Line
The story of smart highways is shaping India into a phenomenal story of engineering confronted with necessity. Setting new benchmarks in road transport with the likes of the Bharatmala Project, Mumbai-Delhi Expressway, etc., projects.
Technological advances, on the other hand, are steering us towards a smart and sustainable future. Should this advancement continue, the roadways in India may currently be a whole lot smoother, safer, and smarter than we have ever imagined.