The Gujarat Cabinet on Wednesday approved two major road infrastructure projects with a total outlay of about ₹5,230 crore, giving a strong push to highway expansion and rural connectivity in tribal regions of the state.
Ahmedabad–Mehsana Highway to Be Widened to Eight Lanes
A key decision taken by the Cabinet is the widening of the Ahmedabad–Mehsana highway in north Gujarat. The 51-kilometre stretch, which was converted into a four-lane road in 1999, will now be upgraded to an eight-lane highway at an estimated cost of ₹2,630 crore.
The move comes in response to a sharp rise in traffic on the route. Recent traffic surveys show that more than one lakh vehicles use the highway every day, leading to congestion and safety concerns. To improve traffic flow and reduce accidents, the project also includes the construction of seven-metre-wide service roads on both sides of the highway. These service lanes will help separate local traffic from long-distance vehicles, making travel smoother and safer.
Elevated Corridor Planned in Kalol
To further ease urban traffic, the Cabinet has also approved the construction of a six-kilometre elevated corridor in Kalol city of Gandhinagar district. The elevated stretch will connect five existing overbridges, helping vehicles bypass busy junctions and reducing congestion within the city.
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Officials said the elevated corridor will significantly cut travel time for commuters and improve traffic movement for vehicles passing through Kalol, which often faces bottlenecks during peak hours.
Major Boost for Tribal Roads Under PMGSY
Alongside highway expansion, the Cabinet gave the green signal to a large rural connectivity project in tribal areas under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Roads spanning 2,020 kilometres will be built at a cost of around ₹2,600 crore to connect 1,614 tribal hamlets across Gujarat.
Many of these villages and hamlets will get all-weather road access for the first time, improving connectivity to schools, hospitals, markets, and government services. In the first phase, 1,614 out of 4,781 identified tribal habitations have been selected. The project is expected to benefit over eight lakh people living in nearly 1,700 settlements.
Focus on Inclusive Growth and Mobility
Officials said the twin approvals reflect the state government’s focus on balanced and inclusive development. While major highways are being upgraded to support growing traffic and economic activity, special attention is also being given to remote and tribal areas that have long lacked basic road infrastructure.
The projects are expected to generate employment during the construction phase and deliver long-term economic benefits by improving trade, mobility, and access to essential services.
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With these approvals, Gujarat continues to strengthen its road network—linking cities, easing urban congestion, and bringing remote communities closer to the mainstream of development.
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