India, April 2 -- The Union ministry of road transport and highways has constructed 8,600km of national highways till the third week of March against a target of 10,000km for the current financial year 2025-26, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

The figures indicate a slowdown in highway construction, with the average pace dropping to 23.74km per day, compared to 29.21km per day in 2024-25 and 33.83km per day in 2023-24. The highest expansion was recorded in 2020-21, when 13,327km of national highways were built, translating to 33.83km per day.

The data was shared by Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari while replying to a question by YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP Golla Babu Rao.

On the same day, the National Highway...