In a significant boost to Surat's infrastructure, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has approved the construction of two new flyovers in the city's crucial industrial belt. The project, sanctioned at a cost of Rs 190.69 crore, aims to decongest the heavily trafficked National Highway 53 connecting Surat to Maharashtra.
Project Details and Strategic Importance
The approval was announced by BJP MLA from Choryasi, Sandeep Desai, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The decision came after a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, where Desai and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil presented the pressing issue to Minister Gadkari.
The two flyovers will be built at key locations: near Kawas Chowkdi and the Reliance Company Gate in Hazira. These points on NH-53 are critical junctures experiencing severe traffic bottlenecks due to the dense concentration of major industrial units.
Addressing Industrial and Local Traffic Woes
The Hazira and Ichhapore region is an industrial powerhouse, hosting manufacturing plants of several multinational giants. The list includes:
- L&T
- Kribhco
- AMNS
- Reliance
- GAIL
- NTPC
- Essar Port
- Adani Port
MLA Desai explained that employees commuting to these industries and a constant stream of container trucks sharing the road with local village traffic create daily snarls. The road also serves villages like Kawas, Mora, Damka, Bhatlai, and Rajgari along the Maharashtra-Surat corridor.
"After witnessing the persistent traffic issues at Kawas Chokdi, I took up the matter with Minister Patil," stated Desai. "Our joint representation to Minister Gadkari highlighted the urgent need for a solution, leading to this swift approval."
Expected Benefits and Next Steps
The flyovers are expected to bring multifaceted relief. Thousands of residents in the Hazira area villages will experience smoother daily commutes. Furthermore, the project will significantly aid the region's tourism potential.
Suvali Beach, a popular destination in Hazira, attracts massive crowds during festivals like the Suvali Beach Festival, where footfall can reach an estimated two lakh visitors over a few days. The new infrastructure will help manage this surge efficiently.
With the administrative green signal now in place, the tender process for the construction is set to begin shortly. This project marks a proactive step by the central government to support Surat's growth as a major industrial and economic hub by addressing its critical infrastructure challenges.
