The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the upgradation of key stretches of National Highway 56 (NH-56) in Gujarat to four-lane standards at an investment of ₹4,583.64 crore.
The project will cover two major sections — Dhamasiya to Bitada/Movi (47.46 km) and Nasarpore to Malotha (60.21 km) — taking the total upgraded corridor length to 107.67 km. The development will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and is designed for a speed of 100 km/h, with an expected average travel speed of about 70 km/h. Officials estimate the upgrade will reduce travel time across the stretch by nearly 40%, bringing it down from around 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours.
NH-56 begins at Nimbahera in Rajasthan, passes through parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and reconnects with NH-48 near Vapi. The upgraded sections run through the aspirational district of Narmada and are expected to improve connectivity to tribal areas in Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Tapi, and Bharuch districts. The corridor will also provide better access to the Statue of Unity at Kevadia, located about 11 km from NH-56.
Officials said the project will support economic activity and social development in the region while creating a continuous four-lane corridor from Bodeli to Malotha. It will also strengthen linkages with major highways such as NH-53, NH-48, and the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (NE-4).
The construction phase is expected to generate significant employment, with an estimated 19.38 lakh man-days of direct employment and 22.82 lakh man-days of indirect employment, along with additional opportunities arising from economic activities along the route.
Earlier, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), had awarded adjoining stretches from Jambugam (Bodeli) to Dhamasiya and Movi to Nasarpore in November 2025. These sections are currently under construction with a two-year completion timeline.
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Once completed, the upgraded NH-56 is expected to function as a modern arterial route, facilitating smoother movement of commercial traffic while enhancing tourism access across the region.
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