Hyderabad, Jan. 22 -- By Sejal Gupta and Anjana Divakar

India's vast road network spans over 1.4 million km, with National Highways (NHs) comprising less than 2% of this length but managing 40% of road traffic, underscoring their critical role in connecting states and facilitating the movement of goods and services.

National Highways were initially government-managed public utilities, but limited funding in the 1990s led to the adopting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), established in 1995, has since overseen the development, maintenance, and regulation of NHs. A 1997 amendment to theNational Highways Act, of 1956, enabled toll collection on NHs funded through public, private...