Election-Heavy States to Get Quarter of New National Highways

Seven states facing assembly elections this year are set to receive nearly a quarter of new national highway projects.

The states, which include Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab, will also account for roughly one-fifth of total projects awarded in fiscal 2025-26, according to ministry sources. The highway ministry has set targets for both awarding and constructing national highways this year.

Approvals for priority projects in these states are expected to move quickly, the sources said. Highway construction is a visible marker of development spending and historically accelerates before state polls.

The ministry's focus on these states comes as the government seeks to demonstrate infrastructure delivery ahead of elections. The seven states have a combined population of more than 500 million people.