The second phase of the Bharatmala Highway Development Program may be postponed in favor of a more ambitious ₹20 trillion, 20-year project, known as Vision 2047, according to two people familiar with the matter. The grand plan involves the construction of 50,000 kilometers of highways, including about 30,000–35,000 kilometers of fenced-off expressways, with an estimated investment of over ₹20 trillion.

In 2017, the government had approved a more modest Bharatmala plan, which basically focused on the Phase 1 programme. This initial phase included the construction of 34,800 km of highways, aimed at connecting the existing road infrastructure while enhancing connectivity to various industrial corridors.

Phase 2, which was expected to involve the construction of about 5,000 kilometers of fenced-off highways with an investment of ₹3 trillion, was expected to be approved this year. However, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is now considering withdrawing the Bharatmala Stage 2 scheme. Instead, they are drafting a new cabinet note for the Vision 2047 plan, which is in the final stages of development. This vision plan includes completion of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for new road alignments and greenfield projects. Additionally, it integrates elements of the Bharatmala 2 programme, which also focuses on establishing a network of expressways across the country.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has presented Vision 2047 before the Council of Ministers with the expectation that specific projects under the plan will get individual Cabinet approval before proceeding with implementation. Although the total cost of all the projects under the vision plan has not yet been finalized, it is expected to exceed ₹20 trillion, considering previous investments in Bharatmala.

MoRTH Secretary Anurag Jain had earlier said that the approach includes development of a network of greenfield access-controlled highways, which will help reduce logistics costs in the country. The Ministry is currently preparing its Vision 2047 document and is expected to continue to allocate substantial resources to support capital-intensive and long-term projects in the sector.