Gujarat Cabinet Greenlights Rs 2,630 Crore Eight-Lane Ahmedabad-Mehsana Highway Expansion
In a landmark decision for the state's infrastructure development, the Gujarat government has approved a major project to widen the Ahmedabad-Mehsana Highway into an eight-lane expressway. This initiative, sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2,630 crore, marks the first eight-lane highway project in Gujarat, promising to significantly enhance connectivity and reduce travel time between key regions.
Cabinet Approval and Project Details
The state Cabinet of Ministers, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, gave its nod to this ambitious project during a meeting held on Wednesday. According to an official release, the 51.60-kilometer stretch between Adalaj in Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar and Palavasna Circle in Mehsana will be transformed from its current four-lane configuration, which was originally developed in 1999 with service roads on both sides.
Government spokesperson and senior minister Jitu Vaghani emphasized that this project addresses a long-standing demand from the residents of north Gujarat, particularly those in districts like Mehsana, Patan, and Banaskantha. The expansion is expected to fulfill their need for improved transportation infrastructure, facilitating smoother and faster travel.
Traffic Survey and Design Features
A recent traffic survey revealed that more than one lakh vehicles utilize this highway daily, highlighting the urgent need for expansion to accommodate the growing traffic load. To tackle this, the project includes several innovative design elements:
- Construction of a seven-meter wide service road on both sides to ease congestion and ensure safe, efficient transportation.
- An elevated corridor spanning 6.10 kilometers through Kalol, connecting five existing overbridges and flyovers to bypass internal city traffic.
- Upgradation of all bridge structures, pipe culverts, and box culverts to eight lanes.
- Addition of eight new flyovers and eight new underpasses to further streamline traffic flow.
The highway, which passes through Kalol, will benefit from these enhancements, reducing the traffic burden on the city and improving overall mobility.
Implementation Timeline and Additional Cabinet Decisions
Tenders for the project are set to be floated soon, with the work planned for completion within two years after the allotment of tenders. This swift timeline underscores the government's commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in the state.
In a related move, the state Cabinet also approved the construction of all-season roads connecting 1,614 suburbs in tribal areas under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. This initiative, part of PMGSY-4, involves building 2,020 kilometers of roads at a cost of Rs 2,600 crore. It targets suburbs that have never had road connectivity, with criteria including populations of 500 or more in normal areas and 250 or more in tribal areas. The funding for this project is shared, with the Centre bearing 60% and the state covering 40% of the construction costs.
These decisions collectively reflect the Gujarat government's proactive approach to enhancing road infrastructure, aiming to boost economic growth, improve safety, and meet the evolving demands of its citizens.
