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August 5, 2024: The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of eight access-controlled national highway projects totaling 936 km. These projects, estimated to cost Rs 50,655 crore, aim to minimize land acquisition by utilizing existing brownfield sites as much as possible, according to Union Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The approved projects are:
- 6-Lane Agra-Gwalior Highway
- 4-Lane Kharagpur – Moregram
- 6-Lane Tharad – Deesa – Mehsana – Ahmedabad
- 4-Lane Pathalgaon-Gumla section of Raipur-Ranchi
- 6-Lane Kanpur Ring Road
- 4-Lane Northern Guwahati Bypass with improvements to the existing Guwahati Bypass
- 8-Lane Elevated Nashik Phata – Khed Corridor near Pune
- Ayodhya Ring Road Project
In Ayodhya, a 68-km, 4-lane access-controlled ring road will be built at a cost of Rs 3,935 crore. This project aims to alleviate congestion on highways such as NH 27, NH 227A, NH 227B, NH 330, NH 330A, and NH 135A, facilitating faster travel for pilgrims to the Ram Mandir. It will also enhance connectivity for tourists arriving from Lucknow International Airport, Ayodhya Airport, and major railway stations.
In Guwahati, a 121-km ring road will be developed at a cost of Rs 5,729 crore. This includes a 56-km 4-lane Northern Guwahati Bypass, widening an 8-km stretch of the existing NH 27 bypass to six lanes, and improving a 58-km section of the existing NH 27 bypass. Additionally, a major bridge over the Brahmaputra River will be constructed. The project aims to provide seamless connectivity for long-distance traffic on NH 27 and ease congestion on major highways, connecting cities such as Siliguri, Silchar, Shillong, Jorhat, Tezpur, Jogigopha, and Barpeta.
The government expects these projects to generate approximately 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment. Since 2013-14, the length of National Highways has increased by about 1.6 times, from 0.91 lakh km to 1.46 lakh km currently. Similarly, the average annual construction of National Highways has increased by about 2.4 times, from 4,000 km in 2004-14 to approximately 9,600 km in 2014-24. Total capital investment in National Highways, including private investment, has surged sixfold, from Rs 50,000 crore in 2013-14 to around Rs 3.1 lakh crore in 2023-24.
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