The Indian government says it plans to invest about $20.61bn constructing 12,000km of highways in the hope of increasing the economic growth rate.

A further investment of $10bn will be sought to repair its potholed roads and construct roads and highways, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Tenders are already being called for the first six months of construction.

The government says it hopes to recover funds from the road projects by imposing tolls on 60% of the highways created.

Toll projects, due to their ability to win back funds, will be concentrated on first, the government says.