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Golden Quadrilateral

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Golden Quadrilateral
Highway map of India with the Golden Quadrilateral highlighted
Route information
Maintained by NHAI
Length5,846 km (3,633 mi)
Existed2001–present
NH-16
Length1,684 km (1,046 mi)
FromChennai
FromKolkata
NH-19 and NH-44
Length1,453 km (903 mi)
FromKolkata
FromDelhi
NH-48
Length1,419 km (882 mi)
FromDelhi
FromMumbai
NH-48
Length1,290 km (800 mi)
FromMumbai
FromChennai
Location
CountryIndia
Highway system

The Golden Quadrilateral (Hindi: Svarnim Chaturbhuj; abbreviated GQ) is a network of national highways connecting major cities of India. It roughly forms a quadrilateral with major cities – Delhi (north), Kolkata (east), Mumbai (west) and Chennai (south) forming the termini. Stretching 5,846 km (3,633 mi), it is one of the longest roads in the world.[1]

The project was part of the first phase of the National Highways Development Project.[2] The roads were constructed and are maintained by the National Highway Authority of India under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The road system consists of four or six-lane highways, built at a cost of ₹324.9 billion (equivalent to ₹1.4 trillion or US$16 billion in 2023). The project was launched in 1999, and completed in 2012.

Background and planning

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In 1998, the Government of India launched the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). The project envisaged the development of about 13,150 km (8,170 mi) of four and six lane highways at an estimated cost of over ₹540 billion (equivalent to ₹2.3 trillion or US$27 billion in 2023).[3][4][5] The Golden Quadrilateral Project was part of the first phase of NHDP, and involved the construction of 5,846 km (3,633 mi) of multi-lane highways connecting the major cities.[6][7] It was intended to establish faster transport networks between major cities, thereby reducing costs,[4] providing better access to markets, and drive economical growth.[7][8][9]

Construction

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National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was tasked with the project implementation.[9] The foundation stone for the project was laid on 6 January 1999 by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.[10] Majority of the project was intended to be completed by December 2004.[6] In July 2005, four laning of about 4,944 km (3,072 mi) was complete, and the project was scheduled to be completed by December 2006.[11]

The project faced delays due to land acquisition issues, disputes with contractors, and renegotiation of contracts.[9][11][12] Engineer Satyendra Dubey wrote letter to the prime minister highlighting that the large contractors were being given inside information by NHAI officials, and the contractors were subcontracting the work to smaller companies which lacked technical expertise.[13] While Dubey was transferred and was later murdered for his voicing out, NHAI implemented reforms in contract procedures due to the allegations.[14][15]

In September 2009, the government announced plans to convert the existing four-lane highways into six-lane highways in the future.[16] As per an update given to the Parliament of India, about 99.7% of the project was completed by 2009.[17] In January 2012, the Government announced that the entire project has been completed.[18][19] The project was completed at an estimated cost of ₹324.92 billion (equivalent to ₹1.4 trillion or US$16 billion in 2023).[9]

Network

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The Golden Quadrilateral consists 5,846 km (3,633 mi) of multi-lane highways roughly forming a quadrilateral connecting four major cities – Delhi (north), Kolkata (east), Mumbai (west) and Chennai (south).[6][7][18]

A section of the highway between Chennai and Mumbai
Part of the Delhi-Kolkata section of the highway
Segment Length[20] National Highway[21][22] States/UTs[21]
Delhi–Mumbai 1,419 km (882 mi) NH-48
Mumbai–Chennai 1,290 km (800 mi) NH-48
Kolkata–Chennai 1,684 km (1,046 mi) NH-16
Delhi–Kolkata 1,453 km (903 mi) NH-19 and NH-44
5,846 km (3,633 mi)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "World's 10 longest highways". Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Welcome to NHAI". Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 2013-07-23. Road network-Source-The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
  3. ^ India Highways Project (PDF). Asian Development Bank (Report). November 2008. p. 5. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Road Transport & Highways". Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India (Press release). 7 February 2004. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Mile by Mile, India Paves a Smoother Future". New York Times. 4 December 2005. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Annual Report 2003-04 (PDF). Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India (Report). p. 10. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Don Belt (October 2008). "Fast Lane to the Future". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
  8. ^ R. N. Bhaskar (21 September 2009). "Crossing the chasm". Forbes. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d "Benefits of Golden Quadrilateral project are already visible". Business Today. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Building India's National Pride: The Golden Quadrilateral". Press Information Bureau (Press release). 2 April 2003. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Golden Quadrilateral still has miles to go". The Financial Express. 26 August 2005. Archived from the original on 28 November 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2005.
  12. ^ "Contractors take the sheen off Golden Quadrilateral". The Financial Express. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Bihar govt wakes up to IITian's murder". Rediff. 5 December 2003. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2004.
  14. ^ "NHAI report to CBI proves Dubey right, contract rules being rewritten". The Indian Express. 26 September 2005. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
  15. ^ "Satyendranath Dubey killers get life imprisonment". Oneindia. 27 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011.
  16. ^ Megha Bahree (21 September 2009). "Ambassador: Indian Economy Will Grow". Forbes. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  17. ^ "National Highways Development Project" (PDF). Parliament of India. 26 April 2012. p. 27. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Govt declares Golden Quadrilateral complete". The Indian Express. 7 January 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  19. ^ "National Highways Development Project Map". National Highways Institute of India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2005.
  20. ^ "Current status of Golden Quadrilateral". National Highways Authority of India. Archived from the original on 29 November 2009. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  21. ^ a b Details of National Highways (PDF). Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Report). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  22. ^ "List of national highways in India". Unacademy. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
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