Union Cabinet Clears Rs 50,655 Crore Highway Projects, Boosts National Connectivity

The Union Cabinet, led by PM Narendra Modi, has approved eight access-controlled national highway projects totaling 936 km and costing Rs 50,655 crore. These initiatives aim to improve infrastructure, generate employment, and enhance connectivity across several regions, including Ayodhya and Guwahati.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of eight access-controlled national highway projects, stretching a total of 936 km, with an investment of Rs 50,655 crore.

Addressing a press briefing, Union Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that land acquisition will be minimized by aligning projects with existing routes where possible. The government estimates these projects will generate around 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment.

The projects include the 6-Lane Agra-Gwalior highway, the 4-Lane Kharagpur-Moregram highway, the 6-Lane Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad highway, and more. In Ayodhya, a 68-km 4-lane access-controlled Ring Road is planned, costing Rs 3,935 crore, to reduce congestion and aid pilgrims visiting the Ram Mandir.

In Guwahati, a critical infrastructure project includes a 121-km ring road, costing Rs 5,729 crore, to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion around the city. A major bridge over the Brahmaputra River is also part of the initiative.

Over the past decade, the Government of India has heavily invested in road infrastructure, doubling the length of National Highways from 0.91 lakh km to 1.46 lakh km. The capital investment in National Highways, including private investment, has surged six times, reaching Rs 3.1 lakh crore in 2023-24.

Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the approval of the 231 km Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor, reducing travel time for freight vehicles and enhancing connectivity across six districts.