Poor data looms over India's big highway building plans

RAJASTHAN, India -- India is targeting the aggressive expansion of new highways as it seeks to boost economic growth and alleviate the congestion and pollution that chokes its cities. However, poor data and analysis threaten to undermine a return to the government's preferred public-private funding model.

Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said in April that he wants to increase India's daily highway construction rate to 100 kilometers, a tall order considering that the country has never crossed the 37 km mark. India's highway network is invaluable to the country's economy, as it carries about 70% of freight.