The Cabinet approves eight high-speed road projects totalling 936 km, enhancing logistics efficiency, reducing congestion, and improving connectivity across India. The projects will significantly cut travel times and costs, benefiting the logistics sector.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of eight major National High-Speed Road Corridor projects, spanning a total length of 936 km at an estimated cost of Rs. 50,655 crore. These projects are set to revolutionise India’s logistics landscape by significantly reducing travel times, easing congestion, and enhancing connectivity across the country. The implementation of these projects is expected to generate approximately 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment, providing a significant boost to the economy.
Key Project Highlights:
- Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor (88 km): This fully access-controlled 6-lane corridor, developed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, will enhance connectivity between Agra and Gwalior. The project aims to reduce travel time by 50% and increase traffic capacity more than twofold. This corridor will also improve access to key tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, thereby promoting tourism and reducing logistics costs.
- Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor (231 km): Developed in Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), this 4-lane corridor will provide efficient connectivity for freight traffic between states like West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and the North-Eastern region. The project will cut travel time from 9-10 hours to 3-5 hours, significantly boosting logistics efficiency.
- Tharad-Ahmedabad National High-Speed Corridor (214 km): This 6-lane corridor, developed on a BOT basis, will link key national corridors in Gujarat, providing seamless connectivity for freight vehicles from industrial regions in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to major ports in Maharashtra. The project will reduce travel time by 60%, enhance logistics efficiency, and support economic growth.
- Ayodhya Ring Road (68 km): The 4-lane Ayodhya Ring Road, developed in HAM, will decongest national highways passing through the city, providing faster access to the Rama Mandir and other key locations. This project will also facilitate smoother movement for international and national tourists.
- Raipur-Ranchi National High-Speed Corridor (137 km): The Pathalgaon-Gumla section, developed in HAM, will enhance connectivity between mining areas and industrial zones in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. This corridor will be crucial for the transport of goods, supporting regional economic development.
- Kanpur Ring Road (47 km): Developed on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) basis, this 6-lane road will complete the ring around Kanpur, segregating long-distance traffic from city-bound traffic. This will improve logistics efficiency for freight moving through Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
- Guwahati Ring Road (121 km): Developed in BOT mode, this project will include a major bridge over the Brahmaputra River and provide seamless connectivity to the North-East region. The Ring Road will reduce congestion on major highways and improve access to key cities and towns.
- Nashik Phata-Khed Corridor near Pune (30 km): This 8-lane elevated corridor, developed on a BOT basis, will alleviate congestion around Pimpri-Chinchwad and provide high-speed connectivity for traffic between Pune and Nashik. This project is vital for the efficient movement of goods from industrial hubs.
The Government of India has been investing heavily in infrastructure development over the past decade, recognising its critical role in economic growth. The country’s national highway network has expanded significantly, with the length increasing from 0.91 lakh km in 2013-14 to 1.46 lakh km currently. The new projects are part of a broader strategy to establish a 50,000-kilometre network of high-speed corridors, supporting India’s goal of becoming a $30+ trillion economy by 2047. These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to building world-class infrastructure, which is essential for the country’s long-term economic prosperity.
