On Friday, the Narendra Modi government greenlit eight significant National High-Speed Road Corridor projects spanning a total length of 936 kilometers, with a combined investment of ₹50,655 crore. This ambitious initiative aims to revolutionize logistics efficiency, reduce traffic congestion, and bolster connectivity across India. The approval underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure, which is critical for economic growth and improved quality of life.
List of High speed Road Corridors:
| Project Name |
|---|
| 6-Lane Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor |
| 4-Lane Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor |
| 6-Lane Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad National High-Speed Corridor |
| 4-Lane Ayodhya Ring Road |
| 5-Lane Pathalgaon-Gumla Section of Raipur-Ranchi National High-Speed Corridor |
| 6-Lane Kanpur Ring Road |
| 4-Lane Northern Guwahati Bypass and Widening/Improvement of Existing Guwahati Bypass |
| 8-Lane Elevated Nashik Phata-Khed Corridor near Pune |
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Key Projects and Their Impact
1. Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor
- Length: 88 km
- Cost: ₹4,613 crore
- Details: This 6-lane, access-controlled corridor will double the current traffic capacity between Agra and Gwalior. It is expected to cut travel time by 50% and logistics costs, while boosting tourism to historical sites in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
2.Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor
- Length: 231 km
- Cost: ₹10,247 crore
- Details: Featuring a 4-lane design, this corridor will enhance connectivity between West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and the North-East. The project aims to reduce freight vehicle travel time from 10 hours to 3-5 hours, significantly lowering logistics costs
3. Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad National High-Speed Corridor
- Length: 214 km
- Cost: ₹10,534 crore
- Details: This 6-lane corridor will connect Gujarat’s major industrial and port areas, improving logistics efficiency by reducing travel time by 60% and integrating key tourist destinations.
4. Ayodhya Ring Road
- Length: 68 km
- Cost: ₹3,935 crore
- Details: The 4-lane ring road will alleviate congestion in Ayodhya, facilitating smoother pilgrim and tourist movements while improving connectivity to major transport hubs
5. Pathalgaon-Gumla Section of Raipur-Ranchi Corridor
- Length: 137 km
- Cost: ₹4,473 crore
- Details: This 4-lane corridor will connect mining and industrial zones in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, enhancing regional economic integration
6.Kanpur Ring Road
- Length: 47 km
- Cost: ₹3,298 crore
- Details: The 6-lane ring road will segregate long-distance traffic from city-bound traffic, boosting logistics efficiency and reducing congestion around Kanpur.
7. Northern Guwahati Bypass and Widening of Existing Bypass
- Length: 121 km
- Cost: ₹5,729 crore
- Details: This project includes a 4-lane bypass, widening of existing lanes, and a major bridge over the Brahmaputra, easing congestion and improving connectivity to North-Eastern cities.
8. Nashik Phata-Khed Elevated Corridor near Pune
- Length: 30 km
- Cost: ₹7,827 crore
- Details: The 8-lane elevated corridor will provide high-speed connectivity between Pune and Nashik, alleviating congestion in Pimpri-Chinchwad and improving access to industrial centers.
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Economic and Employment Impact
These projects are not just about infrastructure; they promise substantial economic benefits. The development is projected to generate around 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment, boosting local economies and enhancing overall economic productivity.
Investment and Infrastructure Growth
Since 2013-14, total capital investment in National Highways has surged from ₹50,000 crore to about ₹3.1 lakh crore in 2023-24. The government’s infrastructure investments have multiplied GDP impacts by 2.5-3.0 times, emphasizing the critical role of robust road infrastructure in national economic development.
Strategic Approach to Infrastructure Development
The government’s corridor-based development approach focuses on maintaining consistent standards and improving logistics efficiency. This strategy represents a shift from the traditional project-based approach, emphasizing a holistic enhancement of highway infrastructure.
Future Prospects
The National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects highlight India’s dedication to emerging as a global economic powerhouse. With the aim to support India’s goal of a $30+ trillion economy by 2047, these projects will play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s future economic landscape.
Conclusion
The approval of these high-speed road corridors by the Narendra Modi government signifies a major leap forward in revolutionizing India’s infrastructure. By enhancing connectivity, reducing congestion, and boosting economic productivity, these projects are set to drive India’s growth in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects are eight major infrastructure initiatives approved by the Narendra Modi government. They aim to enhance logistics efficiency, reduce traffic congestion, and improve connectivity across India through the development of 936 kilometers of high-speed roads.
The total investment for the eight projects is ₹50,655 crore
The projects are expected to significantly reduce travel times. For example, the Agra-Gwalior corridor will cut travel time by 50%, and the Tharad-Ahmedabad corridor will reduce travel time by 60%.
Capital investment in National Highways has increased from ₹50,000 crore in 2013-14 to approximately ₹3.1 lakh crore in 2023-24.
The long-term goal is to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and contribute to India’s vision of becoming a $30+ trillion economy by 2047
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