- By Nidhi Giri
- Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:02 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
New Expressways In Gujarat: The Gujarat Government has announced two major expressway projects worth Rs 96,240 crore to boost infrastructure and connectivity in the state. State Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma announced these developments during discussions on Budget demands in the Gujarat Assembly.
New Expressways In Gujarat: Full Details
The Namo Shakti Motorway is a 430-kilometre highway that will cost an estimated Rs 39,120 crore and connect Deesa in Banaskantha to Pipavav, while the Somnath-Dwarka Motorway, which is 680-kilometre long would cost Rs 57,120 crore.
The government has allotted Rs 520 crore from the recently created Rs 50,000-crore Developed Gujarat Fund in the next fiscal year to begin these ambitious initiatives. "These expressways are crucial for enhancing connectivity across the state and promoting economic growth," said Jagdish Vishwakarma.
The initial phase will involve finalising the expressway alignments within the next six months, followed by the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR), which is expected to take a year. The exact extent of private land acquisition will be determined only after the DPR is completed.
These projects will add to Gujarat's already extensive road network, which currently boasts over 1.11 lakh kilometres of roadways, including national highways, state highways, and district and rural roads. The 2024-25 Budget has allocated Rs 10,045 crore for road construction, expansion, and maintenance, highlighting the state's commitment to infrastructure development.
The Gujarat government's focus extends beyond these new projects, with ongoing efforts to complete the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, a key component of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which is expected to significantly boost trade and commerce. Initiatives like the Bharatmala Pariyojana and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) have also played a crucial role in expanding rural road networks.