PM Modi presents three National Highways projects valued at ₹1575 crore to Gujarat

Ahmedabad : Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history in the nation’s road infrastructure sector by virtually inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 114 projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore from Haryana in a single day. Among these projects, the Prime Minister bestowed three developments covering 53 km, valued at ₹1575 crore, to Gujarat.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in the program held in Gandhinagar on this occasion. The projects given to Gujarat by PM  Narendra Modi include three initiatives spanning a total distance of 53 km. The first project involves the construction of a 6-lane elevated corridor spanning 10.630 km from Narol Junction to Sarkhej Junction, including the 8-lane Shastri Bridge on National Highway-47 within Ahmedabad city, at an estimated cost of ₹1295 crore.

This National Highway-47 from Narol to Sarkhej passes through Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation limits. This urban corridor, extending from Juhapura to Narol Vishala, struggles with significant traffic congestion and frequent accidents caused by cross traffic. To mitigate these challenges and improve fuel and time efficiency, the Government of India has chosen to construct an elevated corridor along the highway from Vishala to Sarkhej. Additionally, plans include the replacement of the existing Shastri Bridge over the Sabarmati River with a new 8-lane bridge along this route. As part of the second project, the Government of India has approved the expansion of the current two-lane road on National Highway-58 from Vav Chokdi, Satlasana to Vrindavan Chokdi, Kheralu. Spanning a distance of 23.00 km, this work is estimated to cost ₹151 crore. Currently, this 23 km stretch accommodates two lanes, while the opposing roads are four lanes. Upon completion of this project, the road will be fully converted into a 4-lane thoroughfare, providing more efficient passage for heavy vehicle traffic.

The road serves as a crucial link to major district sites, industrial areas, tourist destinations, and religious places such as Mehsana, Vadnagar, Palanpur, Taranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Ambaghata Quarry, Danta, and Ambaji Temple. It also acts as a vital connection between North Gujarat and the state of Rajasthan. Upon completion of this project, the famous Ambaji Temple will have four-way connectivity. The third project, approved for Amreli district in Saurashtra, involves widening the 19.973 km stretch of road from Gavdka Chowk to Bagsara on National Highway No. 351 by 10 meters, at a cost of ₹129 crore. This road segment connects vehicles travelling to Bagsara, Vadiya, and Jetpur from Mahuva, Savarkundla, Amreli, and Rajula Pipavav Port. Mahuva serves as a significant interstate link connecting the port centre Kundla to Amreli and the Bagsara Jetpur NH route. The area is home to numerous headquarters, district centres, trade centres, fisheries, marine product facilities, and poultry farms. Enhancing economic activity, this project will provide connectivity between National Highway 51 and 27, thereby serving as a crucial link for development.

In addition to the laying of the foundation stone of these three projects, several other infrastructure initiatives have been inaugurated earlier. These include the 6-lane expansion of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar SG Highway, the Sudarshan Setu connecting Okha and Bet Dwarka, and the 10-meter widening of the Bhuj to Dharamshala section of National Highway 341. Works like the Bharuch section of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, and the four laning of the Pipli to Bhavnagar stretch on National Highway-751, among others, have also been previously launched.

Projects such as the 6-lane expansion of the Samkhiyali to Santalpur highway on National Highway-27, the construction of a 4 km elevated corridor between ISKCON Junction to Sanand Junction on National Highway-147 costing ₹530 crore, and the development of the Mehsana to Idar road on National Highway 168-G have significantly propelled Gujarat’s progress. Four-laning of a total 81,300 km road from Mehsana to Idar on National Highway 168-G at a cost of ₹1155 crore and the construction of an 8-lane bridge over the Sabarmati River near Chiloda, amounting to ₹68 crore, have further energized the state’s development efforts.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister  Narendra Modi, the Central Government has approved 199 road development projects totalling ₹66,470 crores for Gujarat over the past decade. During the welcoming address, Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar highlighted the significance of enhancing and revamping infrastructure to accelerate Gujarat’s progress. He provided detailed updates on the progress of 1037 km of NHAI projects worth ₹31,076 crore and 638 km of state government-owned national highways amounting to ₹4,162 crore. Shri Kirit Solanki, MP from Ahmedabad West, delivered a speech during the event. Attendees included MLA Shri Amit Thakar, Shri Sardar Chowdhury, Secretary of the Road Building Department Shri A.K. Patel, Special Secretary Shri C.R. Patelia, senior officials from NHAI and the State Road Building Department, as well as corporators.