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{{Short description|National highway network in India connecting four megacities}}
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| country = IND
| country = IND
| name = Golden Quadrilateral
| name = Golden Quadrilateral
| established = 2001
| maint = [[National Highways Authority of India|NHAI]]
| maint = [[National Highways Authority of India|NHAI]]
| map = Golden Quadrilateral.svg
| map = Golden Quadrilateral.svg
| map_notes = Highway map of India with the Golden Quadrilateral highlighted in solid blue colour
| map_notes = Highway map of India with the Golden Quadrilateral highlighted
| length_km = 5846
| length_km = 5846
| section1 = [[Kolkata]] – [[Delhi]]
| section1 = [[National Highway 16 (India)|<span style=color:white>NH-16</span>]]
| length_km1 = 1453
| terminus_a1 = [[Chennai]]
| section2 = [[Delhi]] – [[Mumbai]]
| terminus_b1 = [[Kolkata]]
| length_km2 = 1419
| length_km1 = 1684
| section3 = [[Mumbai]] – [[Chennai]]
| section2 = [[National Highway 19 (India)|<span style=color:white>NH-19</span>]] and [[National Highway 44 (India)|<span style=color:white>NH-44</span>]]
| length_km3 = 1290
| terminus_a2 = [[Kolkata]]
| section4 = [[Chennai]] – [[Kolkata]]
| terminus_b2 = [[Delhi]]
| length_km4 = 1684
| length_km2 = 1453
| junction1 = {{Jct|country=IND|NH|44}} & {{Jct|country=IND|NH|19}}
| section3 = [[National Highway 48 (India)|<span style=color:white>NH-48</span>]]
| junction2 = {{Jct|country=IND|NH|48}}
| terminus_a3 = [[Delhi]]
| junction3 = {{Jct|country=IND|NH|48}}
| terminus_b3 = [[Mumbai]]
| junction4 = {{Jct|country=IND|NH|16}}
| length_km3 = 1419
| section4 = [[National Highway 48 (India)|<span style=color:white>NH-48</span>]]
| terminus_a4 = [[Mumbai]]
| terminus_b4 = [[Chennai]]
| length_km4 = 1290
}}
}}
[[File:Rps20160709 141628.jpg|thumb|[[Vijayawada]]–[[Guntur]] Expressway section of NH-16]]
The '''Golden Quadrilateral''' ({{langx|hi|Svarnim Chaturbhuj}}; abbreviated '''GQ''') is a network of [[National Highway (India)|national highways]] connecting major cities of India. It roughly forms a [[quadrilateral]] with major cities &ndash; [[Delhi]] (north), [[Kolkata]] (east), [[Mumbai]] (west) and [[Chennai]] (south) forming the termini. Stretching {{cvt|5846|km}}, it is one of the longest roads in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-images-worlds-10-longest-highways/20140122.htm#5|title=World's 10 longest highways|access-date=22 January 2014|archive-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123014156/http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-images-worlds-10-longest-highways/20140122.htm#5|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:HIghway Chennai Bangalore.jpg|right|thumb|A section of the Golden Quadrilateral highway from Chennai–Mumbai phase]]
[[File:NH46 Highway India.jpg|thumb|NH46: Bengaluru–Chennai section of India's 4-lane Golden Quadrilateral highway]]
[[File:National Highway 16 (old NH 5) at Visakhapatnam.jpg|thumb|NH 16 another section of Golden Quadrilateral highway in Visakhapatnam on the Kolkata–Chennai section]]
[[File:Durgapur Xpressway.jpg|thumb|Kolkata–Durgapur section of India's GQ highway]]
[[File:Nh76.jpg|thumb|NH4: Chennai–Bengaluru section of Tamil Nadu


Q highway near Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu]]
The project was part of the first phase of the [[National Highways Development Project]] executed by the [[Government of India]]. The roads were constructed and are maintained by the [[National Highway Authority of India]] under the purview of the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]]. The road system consists of access controlled four or six-lane highways, built at a cost of {{INRConvert|324.9|b|year=1999}}. The project was launched in 1999, and completed in 2012.
The '''Golden Quadrilateral''' ({{lang-hi|स्वर्णिम चतुर्भुज|Svarnim Chaturbhuj}}; abbreviated '''GQ''') is a national highway network connecting most of the major industrial, agricultural and cultural centres of India. It forms a [[quadrilateral]] connecting the four major metro cities of India, viz., [[Delhi]] (north), [[Kolkata]] (east), [[Mumbai]] (west) and [[Chennai]] (south). Other cities connected by this network include [[Ahmedabad]], [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]], [[Balasore]], [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Cuttack]], [[Berhampur]], [[Durgapur]], [[Jaipur]], [[Kanpur]], [[Pune]], [[Kolhapur]], [[Surat]], [[Vijayawada]], [[Ajmer]], [[Visakhapatnam|Vizag]], [[Bodhgaya]], [[Varanasi]], [[Allahabad]], [[Agra]], [[Mathura]], [[Dhanbad]], [[Gandhinagar]], [[Udaipur]], and [[Vadodara]]. The main objective of these super highways is to reduce the distance and time between the four mega cities of India. The North-South corridor linking Srinagar(Jammu and Kashmir) and Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu ),and East-West corridor linking Silchar(Assam) and Porbandar (Gujarat) are part of this project.These highway projects are implemented by the National Highway Authority Of India(NHAI).
At {{convert|5846|km}}, it is the largest [[highway]] project in India and the fifth longest in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-images-worlds-10-longest-highways/20140122.htm#5|title=World's 10 longest highways}}</ref> It is the first phase of the [[National Highways Development Project]] (NHDP), and consists of four and six-lane express highways, built at a cost of {{INRConvert|600|b}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhai.org/roadnetwork.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-07-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414094555/http://www.nhai.org/roadnetwork.htm |archive-date=14 April 2015 |df=dmy }} Road network-Source-The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)</ref>  The project was planned in 1999, launched in 2001, and was completed in 2013.<ref>[http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/golden-quadrilateral-highway-network Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network]. Road Traffic Technology (2011-06-15). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.</ref>


The Golden Quadrilateral project is managed by the [[National Highways Authority of India]] (NHAI) under the [[Government of India#The Union Ministries|Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways]]. The vast majority of the system is not [[Limited-access road|access controlled]], although safety features such as guardrails, shoulders, and high-visibility signs are in use. The [[Mumbai–Pune Expressway]], the first [[controlled-access]] [[toll road]] to be built in India, is a part of the GQ Project but not funded by NHAI, and is separate from the old Mumbai–Pune section of [[National Highway 48 (India)]]. [[Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services]] (IL&FS) has been one of the major contributors to the infrastructural development activity in the GQ project.{{citation needed lead|date=February 2021}}
== Background and planning ==
In 1998, the [[Government of India]] launched the [[National Highways Development Project]] (NHDP). The project envisaged the development of about {{cvt|13150|km}} of four and six lane highways at an estimated cost of {{INRconvert|540|b|year=1999}}.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/evaluation-document/35657/files/in387-08.pdf|title=India Highways Project|work=[[Asian Development Bank]]|date=November 2008|access-date=1 June 2024|page=5}}</ref><ref name="GQ">{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=1025|title=Road Transport & Highways|date=7 February 2004|access-date=1 June 2024|work=[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]], [[Government of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/international/asia/04highway.html?ex=1291352400&en=d77dd2ca4f760ef0&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all|title=Mile by Mile, India Paves a Smoother Future|work=[[New York Times]]|date=4 December 2005|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> The Golden Quadrilateral project was part of the first phase of NHDP, and involved the construction of {{cvt|5846|km}} of multi-lane highways connecting the major cities.<ref name="AR">{{cite report|url=https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/48.pdf|title=Annual Report 2003-04|work=[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]], [[Government of India]]|page=10|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="Nat">{{cite web|url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/india-highway/belt-text|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918041257/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/india-highway/belt-text|title=Fast Lane to the Future|author=Don Belt|work=[[National Geographic Magazine|National Geographic]]|date=October 2008|access-date=1 June 2009|archive-date=18 September 2008}}</ref> It was intended to establish better and faster transport networks between major cities, thereby reducing accidents and costs,<ref name="GQ"/> and drive economical growth by providing better access to markets.<ref name="Nat"/><ref name="Forbes">{{cite web|url=http://business.in.com/article/briefing/crossing-the-chasm/4202/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925032101/http://business.in.com/article/briefing/crossing-the-chasm/4202/1|url-status=dead|date=21 September 2009|archive-date=25 September 2009|author=R. N. Bhaskar|work=[[Forbes]]|title=Crossing the chasm}}</ref><ref name="BT">{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/focus/story/economic-benefits-of-the-golden-quadrilateral-project-41439-2013-05-04|title=Benefits of Golden Quadrilateral project are already visible|newspaper=[[Business Today (India)|Business Today]]|date=12 May 2013|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>


== History and costs ==
== Construction ==
[[National Highways Authority of India]] (NHAI) was tasked with the implementation of the project.<ref name="BT"/> The foundation stone for the project was laid on 6 January 1999 by then [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Building India's National Pride: The Golden Quadrilateral|url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2003/fapr2003/f020420031.html|date=2 April 2003|work=[[Press Information Bureau]]|access-date=19 August 2012|archive-date=17 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717091143/http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2003/fapr2003/f020420031.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As per the original plan, majority of the project was intended to be completed by December 2004.<ref name="AR"/> However, as of July 2005, four laning of only {{cvt|4944|km}} was complete, and the project timeline was revised to be completed by December 2006.<ref name="FE">{{cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=100459|title=Golden Quadrilateral still has miles to go|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|date=26 August 2005|access-date=26 August 2005|archive-date=28 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051128212502/http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=100459|url-status=live}}</ref>


The Golden Quadrilateral Project (GQ Project) was intended to establish faster transport networks between major cities and ports, provide smaller towns better access to markets, reduce agricultural spoilage in transport, drive economical growth, and promote truck transport.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}
The project faced further delays due to land acquisition issues, disputes with contractors, and renegotiation of contracts.<ref name="BT"/><ref name="FE"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Contractors take the sheen off Golden Quadrilateral |newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |date=3 August 2011 |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/contractors-take-the-sheen-off-golden-quadrilateral/826471/0 |url-status=dead |df=dmy |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731160327/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/contractors-take-the-sheen-off-golden-quadrilateral/826471/0 |archive-date=31 July 2012 }}</ref> A NHAI 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/dec/05bihar1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918082555/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/dec/05bihar1.htm|archive-date=18 September 2009|title=Bihar govt wakes up to IITian's murder|work=[[Rediff]]|date=5 December 2003|access-date=1 June 2004}}</ref> While Dubey was transferred and was later murdered for voicing out his concerns, NHAI implemented reforms in contract procedures due to the allegations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=78880|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019033409/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=78880|archive-date=19 October 2007|title=NHAI report to CBI proves Dubey right, contract rules being rewritten|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=26 September 2005|access-date=1 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2010/03/27/satyendranath-dubey-killers-get-life-imprisonment.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510082646/http://news.oneindia.in/2010/03/27/satyendranath-dubey-killers-get-life-imprisonment.html|archive-date=10 May 2011|title=Satyendranath Dubey killers get life imprisonment|date=27 March 2010|url-status=live|work=[[Oneindia]]}}</ref>


Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] laid the foundation stone for the project on 6 January 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=Building India's National Pride: The Golden Quadrilateral| url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2003/fapr2003/f020420031.html}}</ref> It was planned to be completed by 2006, but there were delays due to land acquisition constraints and disputes with contractors which had to be renegotiated.<ref name="financialexpress">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=100459|title=Golden Quadrilateral still has miles to go|publisher=Financial Express}}</ref><ref name="forbes_india">{{cite web|url=http://business.in.com/article/briefing/crossing-the-chasm/4202/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925032101/http://business.in.com/article/briefing/crossing-the-chasm/4202/1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-09-25|author=R. N. Bhaskar|work=Forbes India|title=Crossing the chasm}}</ref>
In September 2009, the government announced plans to convert the existing four-lane highways into six-lane highways in the future.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/09/21/india-ambassador-shankar-business-emerging-markets-economy.html|title=Ambassador: Indian Economy Will Grow|author=Megha Bahree|work=[[Forbes]]|date=21 September 2009|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911114830/https://www.forbes.com/2009/09/21/india-ambassador-shankar-business-emerging-markets-economy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As per an update given to the [[Parliament of India]], about 99.7% of the project was complete by 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/64037/1/15_Estimates_16.pdf|title=National Highways Development Project|work=[[Parliament of India]]|date=26 April 2012|access-date=1 June 2024|page=27}}</ref> In January 2012, the government announced that the entire project has been completed.<ref name="IE">{{cite news|title=Govt declares Golden Quadrilateral complete|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=7 January 2012|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Govt-declares-Golden-Quadrilateral-complete/896873/|access-date=9 January 2012|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108133041/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Govt-declares-Golden-Quadrilateral-complete/896873|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/gqmain_english.htm|title=National Highways Development Project Map|work=National Highways Institute of India|access-date=5 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034111/http://www.nhai.org/gqmain_english.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The final cost of the project was estimated at {{INRconvert|324.92|b|year=1999}}.<ref name="BT"/>


India's government had initially estimated that the Golden Quadrilateral project would cost {{INRConvert|600|b}} at 1999 prices. However, the highway was built under-budget. As of August 2011, the cost incurred by the Indian government was about half of the initial estimate, at {{INRConvert|308.58|b}}. The eight contracts in progress, as of August 2011, were worth {{INRConvert|16.34|b}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contractors take the sheen off Golden Quadrilateral |publisher=The Financial Express |date=3 August 2011 |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/contractors-take-the-sheen-off-golden-quadrilateral/826471/0 |url-status=dead |df=dmy |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731160327/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/contractors-take-the-sheen-off-golden-quadrilateral/826471/0 |archive-date=31 July 2012 }}</ref>{{update inline|date=September 2018}}
== Network ==
The Golden Quadrilateral consists {{cvt|5846|km}} of multi-lane highways roughly forming a [[quadrilateral]] connecting four major cities &ndash; [[Delhi]] (north), [[Kolkata]] (east), [[Mumbai]] (west) and [[Chennai]] (south).<ref name="AR"/><ref name="Nat"/><ref name="IE"/>


In January 2012, India announced the four-lane GQ highway network as complete.<ref>{{cite web|title=Govt declares Golden Quadrilateral complete|publisher=The Indian Express|date=7 January 2012|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Govt-declares-Golden-Quadrilateral-complete/896873/}}</ref><ref name="nhai_progress">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/gqmain_english.htm|title=National Highways Development Project Map|publisher=National Highways Institute of India|access-date=5 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034111/http://www.nhai.org/gqmain_english.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2009, it was announced that the existing four-laned highways would be converted into six-lane highways.<ref name="nh_expansion">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/09/21/india-ambassador-shankar-business-emerging-markets-economy.html|title=Ambassador: Indian Economy Will Grow|author=Megha Bahree|work=Forbes|date=21 September 2009}}</ref> Sections of [[National Highway 2 (India, old numbering)|NH 2]], NH 4, NH 5 and [[National Highway 8 (India, old numbering)|NH 8]] were prioritized for widening to six lanes under DBFO (Design, Build, Finance, Operate) pattern and more sections would be six-laned in the future. On NH 8 six-lane work was completed from [[Vadodara]] to [[Surat]].{{when|date=September 2018}}{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}
[[File:HIghway Chennai Bangalore.jpg|thumb|A section of the highway between Chennai and Mumbai]]
[[File:Durgapur Xpressway.jpg|thumb|Part of the Delhi-Kolkata section of the highway]]


{| class = "wikitable"
{{Table alignment}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
|-
!{{abbr|No.|number}} || Segment || Length || Completed || Source<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Govt-declares-Golden-Quadrilateral-complete/896873/ Govt. of India declares "Golden Quadrilateral" complete - Jan 7th 2012]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nhai.org/goldenquadrilateral.asp |title=NHAI - Current status |access-date=2 December 2009 |archive-date=29 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129032529/http://www.nhai.org/goldenquadrilateral.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>
!Segment
!Length<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/goldenquadrilateral.asp|title=Current status of Golden Quadrilateral|work=[[National Highways Authority of India]]|access-date=2 December 2009|archive-date=29 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129032529/http://www.nhai.org/goldenquadrilateral.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
![[National Highways of India|National Highway]]<ref name="NH">{{cite report|url=https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/Details-of-National-Highways-as-on-31.03_1.pdf|title=Details of National Highways|work=[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]]|access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://unacademy.com/content/railway-exam/study-material/static-gk/list-of-national-highways-in-india/|title=List of national highways in India|work=[[Unacademy]]|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>
!States/UTs<ref name="NH"/>
|-
|-
| 1. || Delhi–Kolkata || {{convert|1453|km|mi|abbr=on}} || 31 August 2011 || [http://www.nhai.org/NH2_Delhi_Kolkata_english.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801173715/http://www.nhai.org/NH2_Delhi_Kolkata_english.htm |date=1 August 2009 }}
| [[Delhi]]&ndash;[[Mumbai]]
| {{cvt|1419|km}}
| [[National Highway 48 (India)|NH-48]]
|
* [[Gujarat]] &ndash; {{cvt|488.7|km}}
* [[Haryana]] &ndash; {{cvt|83.3|km}}
* [[Maharashtra]] &ndash; {{cvt|104.2|km}}
* [[National Capital Territory]] &ndash; {{cvt|10.8|km}}
* [[Rajasthan]] &ndash; {{cvt|732|km}}
|-
|-
| 2. || Chennai–Mumbai || {{convert|1290|km|mi|abbr=on}} || 31 August 2011 || [http://www.nhai.org/NH4_Mumbai_Chennai_english.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804024702/http://www.nhai.org/NH4_Mumbai_Chennai_english.htm |date=4 August 2009 }}
| [[Mumbai]]&ndash;[[Chennai]]
| {{cvt|1290|km}}
| [[National Highway 48 (India)|NH-48]]
|  
* [[Karnataka]] &ndash; {{cvt|575.7|km}}
* [[Maharashtra]] &ndash; {{cvt|476.7|km}}
* [[Tamil Nadu]] &ndash; {{cvt|237.6|km}}
|-
|-
| 3. || Kolkata–Chennai || {{convert|1684|km|mi|abbr=on}} || 31 May 2013 || [http://www.nhai.org/NH5_Kolkata_chennai_english.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723165747/http://www.nhai.org/NH5_Kolkata_chennai_english.htm |date=23 July 2009 }}
| [[Kolkata]]&ndash;[[Chennai]]
| {{cvt|1684|km}}
| [[National Highway 16 (India)|NH-16]]
|
* [[Andhra Pradesh]] &ndash; {{cvt|1024.1|km}}
* [[Odisha]] &ndash; {{cvt|444|km}}
* [[Tamil Nadu]] &ndash; {{cvt|41.8|km}}
* [[West Bengal]] &ndash; {{cvt|174.1|km}}
|-
|-
| 4. || Mumbai–Delhi || {{convert|1419|km|mi|abbr=on}} || 31 August 2011 || [http://www.nhai.org/NH8_Delhi_Mumbai_english.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628073117/http://nhai.org/NH8_Delhi_Mumbai_english.htm |date=28 June 2009 }}
| [[Delhi]]&ndash;[[Kolkata]]
| {{cvt|1453|km}}
| [[National Highway 19 (India)|NH-19]] and [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH-44]]
|  
* [[Bihar]] &ndash; {{cvt|206|km}}
* [[Jharkhand]] &ndash; {{cvt|199.8|km}}
* [[National Capital Territory]] &ndash; {{cvt|15|km}}
* [[Uttar Pradesh]] &ndash; {{cvt|823.5|km}}
* [[West Bengal]] &ndash; {{cvt|208.7|km}}
|-
|-
| || '''Total''' || '''{{convert|5846|km|mi|abbr=on}}''' || 31 May 2013 || [http://www.nhai.org/goldenquadrilateral.asp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129032529/http://www.nhai.org/goldenquadrilateral.asp |date=29 November 2009 }}
!
! {{cvt|5846|km}}
!
!
|}
|}


== Route ==
=== Major towns ===
[[File:Nh76.jpg|thumb|A section of the highway between Chennai and Mumbai]]
[[File:National_Highway_16_(old_NH_5)_at_Visakhapatnam.jpg|thumb|A section of the highway between Chennai and Kolkata]]
{{Table alignment}}


Only [[National Highway (India)|National Highways]] are used in the Golden Quadrilateral. The four legs use the following National Highways (new numbering system):
{| class="wikitable"style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
 
|+Major towns<ref name="NH"/>
* Delhi – Kolkata: [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH 44]] from Delhi to Agra & [[National Highway 19 (India)|NH 19]] from Agra to Kolkata
|-
* Delhi – Mumbai – Chennai: [[National Highway 48 (India)|NH 48]]
!Segment
* Kolkata – Chennai: [[National Highway 16 (India)|NH 16]]
!colspan="6"| State/UT
 
|-
== Connected cities ==
!rowspan="2"| [[Delhi]]&ndash;[[Mumbai]]
 
! [[Gujarat]]
{| class="wikitable"
! [[Haryana]]
! [[Maharashtra]]
! [[National Capital Territory]]
! [[Rajasthan]]
|-
|
* [[Ahmedabad]]
* [[Ankleshwar]]
* [[Vadodara]]
|
* [[Bawal]]
|
* [[Mumbai]]
* [[Thane]]
|
* [[Delhi]]
|
* [[Bhilwara]]
* [[Chittaurgarh]]
* [[Jaipur]]
* [[Kishangarh]]
* [[Udaipur]]
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"| [[Mumbai]]&ndash;[[Chennai]]
! [[Karnataka]]
! [[Maharashtra]]
! [[Tamil Nadu]]
!
!
|-
|
* [[Belgavi]]
* [[Bengaluru]]
* [[Chitradurga]]
|
* [[Kohlapur]]
* [[Pune]]
* [[Solapur]]
|
* [[Chennai]]
* [[Krishnagiri]]
* [[Vellore]]
|
|
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"| [[Kolkata]]&ndash;[[Chennai]]
! [[Andhra Pradesh]]
! [[Odisha]]
! [[Tamil Nadu]]
! [[West Bengal]]
!
|-
|
* [[Anakapalli]]
* [[Anandapuram]]
* [[Pendurthi]]
* [[Nellore]]
* [[Rajahmundry]]
* [[Vijayawada]]
|
* [[Baleshwar]]
* [[Bhubaneshwar]]
|
* [[Chennai]]
|
* [[Kharagpur]]
* [[Kolkata]]
|
|-
|-
|-
! Delhi–Kolkata
!rowspan="2"| [[Delhi]]&ndash;[[Kolkata]]
! Kolkata–Chennai
! [[Bihar]]
! Chennai–Mumbai
! [[Jharkhand]]
! Mumbai–Delhi
! [[National Capital Territory]]
! [[Uttar Pradesh]]
! [[West Bengal]]
|-
|-
| valign=top |
|
 
* [[Aurangabad, Bihar|Aurangabad]]
* [[Dobhi]]
* [[Mohania]]
|
* [[Barhi, Hazaribagh|Barhi]]
* [[Bagodar]]
* [[Gobindpur, Jharkhand|Gobindpur]]
|
* [[Delhi]]
* [[Delhi]]
* [[Faridabad]]
|
* [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]]
* [[Agra]]
* [[Agra]]
* [[Firozabad]]
* [[Etawah]]
* [[Kanpur]]
* [[Kanpur]]
* [[Fatehpur district]]
* [[Prayagraj]]
* [[Allahabad]]
* [[Varanasi]]
* [[Varanasi]]
* [[Chandauli]]
|
* [[Mohania]]
* [[Kudra]]
* [[Sasaram]]
* [[Dehri]]
* [[Aurangabad, Bihar|Aurangabad (Bihar)]]
* [[Sherghati]]
* [[Dobhi]]
* [[Chauparan]]
* [[Barhi, Jharkhand|Barhi]]
* [[Bagodar]]
* [[Dhanbad]]
* [[Asansol]]
* [[Asansol]]
* [[Durgapur, West Bengal|Durgapur]]
* [[Bardhaman]]
* [[Kolkata]]
* [[Kolkata]]
 
* [[Palsit]]
| valign=top |
|-
 
* [[Kolkata]]
* [[Kharagpur]]
* [[Balasore]]
* [[Cuttack]]
* [[Bhubaneswar]]
* [[Berhampur|Berhampur (Brahmapur)]]
* [[Srikakulam]]
* [[Visakhapatnam]]
* [[Rajahmundry]]
* [[Eluru]]
* [[Vijayawada]]
* [[Guntur]]
* [[Ongole]]
* [[Kavali]]
* [[Nellore]]
* [[Chennai]]
 
| valign=top |
 
* [[Chennai]]
* [[Sriperumbudur]]
* [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Ranipet]]
* [[Vellore]]
* [[Pallikonda]]
* [[Ambur]]
* [[Vaniyambadi]]
* [[Krishnagiri]]
* [[Hosur]]
* [[Bengaluru]]
* [[Tumakuru]]
* [[Sira, India|Sira]]
* [[Chitradurga]]
* [[Davangere]]
* [[Ranebennur]]
* [[Hubballi-Dharwad]]
* [[Belagavi]]
* [[Kolhapur]]
* [[Karad]]
* [[Satara (city)|Satara]]
* [[Pune]]
* [[Panvel]]
* [[Mumbai]]
 
| valign=top |
 
* [[Mumbai]]
* [[Silvassa]]
* [[Vapi]]
* [[Valsad]]
* [[Navsari]]
* [[Surat]]
* [[Bharuch]]
* [[Ankleshwar]]
* [[Vadodara]]
* [[Anand, Gujarat|Anand]]
* [[Nadiad]]
* [[Ahmedabad]]
* [[Gandhinagar]]
* [[Udaipur]]
* [[Chittaurgarh]]
* [[Ajmer]]
* [[Jaipur]]
* [[Gurgaon]]
* [[Delhi]]
 
|}
|}
== Length in each state ==
The completed Golden Quadrilateral passes through 12 states and a union territory:
* [[Andhra Pradesh]] – {{convert|1014|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Uttar Pradesh]] – {{convert|756|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Rajasthan]] – {{convert|725|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Karnataka]] – {{convert|623|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Maharashtra]] – {{convert|487|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Gujarat]] – {{convert|485|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Odisha]] – {{convert|440|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[West Bengal]] – {{convert|406|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Tamil Nadu]] – {{convert|342|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Bihar]] – {{convert|204|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Jharkhand]] – {{convert|192|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Haryana]] – {{convert|152|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* [[Delhi]] – {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* Total – {{convert|5846|km|mi|abbr=on}}
== Corruption allegations ==
{{Main|Satyendra Dubey}}
In August 2003, [[Jharkhand]]-based project director [[Satyendra Dubey]], in a letter to the prime minister, outlined a list of [[bad faith]] (''mala fide'') actions in a segment of a highway in [[Bihar]]. Dubey's claims included that big contractors had inside information from NHAI officials,<ref name="rediff2003">[http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/dec/05bihar1.htm] Bihar govt wakes up to IITian's murder-Source-Rediff News</ref> that the contractors for this stretch were not executing the project themselves (as stipulated in the contract) but had subcontracting the work to small builders who lacked technical expertise,<ref name="rediff2003" /> and that no follow-up was performed after awarding advances.<ref name="rediff2003" /> Dubey's name was leaked by the prime minister's office to the NHAI,<ref name="rediff2003" /> and he was transferred against his wishes to [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Bihar]], where he was murdered on 27 November.<ref name="rediff2003" />
The NHAI eventually admitted that Dubey's allegations were substantiated, and implemented "radical reforms" in the selection and contract procedures.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=78880] NHAI report to CBI proves Dubey right, contract rules being rewritten-Source-Indian Express</ref> After considerable [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] scrutiny, Mantu Kumar and three accomplices were arrested and charged with murder.  Mantu escaped from court on 19 September 2005,<ref name="rediff2005">[http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/sep/13dubey.htm] Whistleblower in the 2004 National Highway Authority of India case escaped from police custody on Tuesday in Patna-Source-Rediff News</ref> but was recaptured a month later.  In 2010, Mantu and two others were convicted of murder and other offenses and sentenced to life in prison.<ref>[http://news.oneindia.in/2010/03/27/satyendranath-dubey-killers-get-life-imprisonment.html] Satyendranath Dubey killers get life imprisonment-Source-Oneindia. com</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
; Similar rail development
* [[Future of rail transport in India]], rail development
; Similar roads development
* [[Bharatmala]]
* [[Bharatmala]]
** [[Diamond Quadrilateral]], Subsumed in Bharatmala
* [[Sagar Mala project]]
** [[National Highways Development Project]], Subsumed in Bharatmala
* [[UDAN]]
** [[North-South and East-West Corridor]], Subsumed in Bharatmala
* [[India-China Border Roads]], Subsumed in Bharatmala
* [[Expressways of India]]
* [[Setu Bharatam]], river road bridge development in India


; Similar ports and river transport development
{{Portal bar|India|Transport|Roads}}
* [[Indian Rivers Inter-link]]
* [[List of National Waterways in India]]
* [[Sagar Mala project]], national water port development connectivity scheme
 
; Similar air transport development
* [[Indian Human Spaceflight Programme]]
* [[UDAN]], national airport development connectivity scheme
 
; Highways in India
* [[List of National Highways in India by highway number]]
* [[List of National Highways in India]]
 
; General
* [[Transport in India]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}
 
==Further reading==
* ''[http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/india-highway/belt-text Fast Lane to the Future]'', Don Belt.  ''[[National Geographic Magazine|National Geographic]]'', October, 2008.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/international/asia/04highway.html?ex=1291352400&en=d77dd2ca4f760ef0&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all 'Mile by Mile, India Paves a Smoother Future'] – extremely detailed ''New York Times'' article, dated 4 December 2005 (''free registration required'')
* [http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=100459 "''Golden Quadrilateral still has miles to go''"] – [[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]] article dated 26 August 2005
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160611061444/http://www.nhai.org/ Official website of the National Highways Authority of India]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160611061444/http://www.nhai.org/ Official website of the National Highways Authority of India]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034111/http://www.nhai.org/gqmain_english.htm Map of GQ progress on the NHAI website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034111/http://www.nhai.org/gqmain_english.htm Map of GQ progress on the NHAI website]
* [http://www.morth.nic.in Ministry of Road Transport]
* [http://www.morth.nic.in Ministry of Road Transport]
<!-- This domain has expired and link is dead * [http://www.nhai-ris.org/ NHAI Road Information System] -->


{{Indian Highways Network}}
{{Transport in India}}
{{Highways in India}}


[[Category:1999 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
[[Category:Golden Quadrilateral| ]]
[[Category:Golden Quadrilateral| ]]
[[Category:National highways of India]]
[[Category:Proposed roads in India]]
[[Category:Proposed roads in India]]
[[Category:Vajpayee administration initiatives]]
[[Category:Vajpayee administration initiatives]]
[[Category:National highways in India]]
[[Category:Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in India]]

Latest revision as of 02:28, 5 February 2026


Golden Quadrilateral
Route information
Maintained by NHAI
Length5,846 km (3,633 mi)
Existed2001–present
NH-16
Length1,684 km (1,046 mi)
FromChennai
ToKolkata
NH-19 and NH-44
Length1,453 km (903 mi)
FromKolkata
ToDelhi
NH-48
Length1,419 km (882 mi)
FromDelhi
ToMumbai
NH-48
Length1,290 km (800 mi)
FromMumbai
ToChennai
Highway system

The Golden Quadrilateral (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; 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 executed by the Government of India. The roads were constructed and are maintained by the National Highway Authority of India under the purview of the Ministry 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 ₹1.1 trillion or US$16 billion in 2019). The project was launched in 1999, and completed in 2012.

Background and planning[edit | edit source]

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 ₹540 billion (equivalent to ₹1.9 trillion or US$26 billion in 2019).[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]

Construction[edit | edit source]

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 then prime minister Atal 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 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.[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 the Parliament 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 ₹1.1 trillion or US$16 billion in 2019).[8]

Network[edit | edit source]

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).[5][6][17]

A section of the highway between Chennai and Mumbai
Part of the Delhi-Kolkata section of the highway
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 and NH-44
5,846 km (3,633 mi)

Major towns[edit | edit source]

A section of the highway between Chennai and Mumbai
A section of the highway between Chennai and Kolkata
Major towns[20]
Segment State/UT
Delhi–Mumbai Gujarat Haryana Maharashtra National Capital Territory Rajasthan
Mumbai–Chennai Karnataka Maharashtra Tamil Nadu
Kolkata–Chennai Andhra Pradesh Odisha Tamil Nadu West Bengal
Delhi–Kolkata Bihar Jharkhand National Capital Territory Uttar Pradesh West Bengal

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "World's 10 longest highways". Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  2. ↑ India Highways Project (PDF). Asian Development Bank (Report). November 2008. p. 5. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Road Transport & Highways". Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India (Press release). 7 February 2004. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  4. ↑ "Mile by Mile, India Paves a Smoother Future". New York Times. 4 December 2005. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Annual Report 2003-04 (PDF). Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India (Report). p. 10. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Don Belt (October 2008). "Fast Lane to the Future". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
  7. ↑ R. N. Bhaskar (21 September 2009). "Crossing the chasm". Forbes. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Benefits of Golden Quadrilateral project are already visible". Business Today. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "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.
  11. ↑ "Contractors take the sheen off Golden Quadrilateral". The Financial Express. 3 August 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ "Bihar govt wakes up to IITian's murder". Rediff. 5 December 2003. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2004.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "Satyendranath Dubey killers get life imprisonment". Oneindia. 27 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011.
  15. ↑ Megha Bahree (21 September 2009). "Ambassador: Indian Economy Will Grow". Forbes. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  16. ↑ "National Highways Development Project" (PDF). Parliament of India. 26 April 2012. p. 27. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Govt declares Golden Quadrilateral complete". The Indian Express. 7 January 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "National Highways Development Project Map". National Highways Institute of India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2005.
  19. ↑ "Current status of Golden Quadrilateral". National Highways Authority of India. Archived from the original on 29 November 2009. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Details of National Highways (PDF). Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Report). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "List of national highways in India". Unacademy. Retrieved 1 June 2024.

External links[edit | edit source]

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