Govt said the projects, spread across nine states, would improve logistics efficiency, reduce congestion, enhance connectivity and generate around 4.4 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment.
Sources said the govt’s focus will next be on development of more expressways and access-controlled highways. In a tweet, PM Narendra Modi said the cabinet nod “will have a multiplier effect on our economic growth and boost employment opportunities”. He added, “It also underlines our commitment to a futuristic and connected India.”
Sharing details in his social media posts, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari said the projects will reduce distances and cut travel time of goods vehicles, which is crucial to bring down logistics cost. Three of the eight projects will decongest the cities of Ayodhya, Kanpur and Guwahati.
Announcing the decisions, I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the 88-km six-lane Agra-Gwalior corridor project will be developed at a cost of INR 4,613 crore and it will supplement the existing four-lane NH to increase the traffic capacity. It will reduce the distance between Agra and Gwalior by 7% and travel time by 50%.
Similarly, the four-lane Kharagpur-Moregram access-controlled highway will be of 231 km and will be developed at a cost of INR 10,247 crore. It will provide efficient connectivity between states such as West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. It will reduce travel time from the existing 9-10 hours to 3-5 hours for freight vehicles. The six-lane Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad project covering 214 km will see an investment of INR 10,534 crore. This will reduce the distance by 20% and the travel time by 60%.
The four-lane Ayodhya Ring Road (68 km) will be developed at a cost of INR 3,935 crore and will reduce congestion on the NH passing through the city, enabling fast movement of pilgrims visiting the Ram Mandir. It will also provide seamless connectivity to national and international tourists arriving from Lucknow international airport, Ayodhya airport and major railway stations in the city.
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