| Golden Quadrilateral | |
|---|---|
 Highway map of India with the Golden Quadrilateral highlighted | |
| Route information | |
| Maintained byNHAI | |
| Length | 5,846 km (3,633 mi) |
| Existed | 2001–present |
| NH-16 | |
| Length | 1,684 km (1,046 mi) |
| From | Chennai |
| To | Kolkata |
| NH-19 andNH-44 | |
| Length | 1,453 km (903 mi) |
| From | Kolkata |
| To | Delhi |
| NH-48 | |
| Length | 1,419 km (882 mi) |
| From | Delhi |
| To | Mumbai |
| NH-48 | |
| Length | 1,290 km (800 mi) |
| From | Mumbai |
| To | Chennai |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Highway system | |
TheGolden Quadrilateral (Hindi:Svarnim Chaturbhuj; abbreviatedGQ) is a network ofnational highways connecting major cities of India. It roughly forms aquadrilateral with major cities –Delhi (north),Kolkata (east),Mumbai (west) andChennai (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 theNational Highways Development Project executed by theGovernment of India. The roads were constructed and are maintained by theNational Highway Authority of India under the purview of theMinistry of Road Transport and Highways. The road system consists of access controlled four or six-lane highways, built at a cost of₹324.9 billion (equivalent to₹1.4 trillion or US$17 billion in 2023). The project was launched in 1999, and completed in 2012.
In 1998, theGovernment of India launched theNational 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₹540 billion (equivalent to₹2.3 trillion or US$27 billion in 2023).[2][3][4] 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.[5][6] It was intended to establish better and faster transport networks between major cities, thereby reducing accidents and costs,[3] and drive economical growth by providing better access to markets.[6][7][8]
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was tasked with the implementation of the project.[8] The foundation stone for the project was laid on 6 January 1999 by thenprime ministerAtal Bihari Vajpayee.[9] As per the original plan, majority of the project was intended to be completed by December 2004.[5] However, as of July 2005, four laning of only 4,944 km (3,072 mi) was complete, and the project timeline was revised to be completed by December 2006.[10]
The project faced further delays due to land acquisition issues, disputes with contractors, and renegotiation of contracts.[8][10][11] A NHAI engineerSatyendra 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.[12] While Dubey was transferred and was later murdered for voicing out his concerns, NHAI implemented reforms in contract procedures due to the allegations.[13][14]
In September 2009, the government announced plans to convert the existing four-lane highways into six-lane highways in the future.[15] As per an update given to theParliament of India, about 99.7% of the project was complete by 2009.[16] In January 2012, the government announced that the entire project has been completed.[17][18] The final cost of the project was estimated at₹324.92 billion (equivalent to₹1.4 trillion or US$17 billion in 2023).[8]
The Golden Quadrilateral consists 5,846 km (3,633 mi) of multi-lane highways roughly forming aquadrilateral connecting four major cities –Delhi (north),Kolkata (east),Mumbai (west) andChennai (south).[5][6][17]
| Segment | Length[19] | National Highway[20][21] | States/UTs[20] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 andNH-44 |
|
| 5,846 km (3,633 mi) |
_at_Visakhapatnam.jpg)
 Highways in India | ||
|---|---|---|
| Expressways |
|    |
| National highways (list) |
| |
| State highways | ||
| Notable | ||
