The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved several significant infrastructure projects aimed at improving freight movement, reducing travel time, and enhancing connectivity across key regions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana. These projects, totaling over ₹11,000 crore, are aligned with the PM GatiShakti vision to create an integrated and efficient transport network in India.
Maharashtra: Rehabilitation and Upgradation of NH-160A
The CCEA has sanctioned the rehabilitation and upgradation of the Ghoti-Trimbak (Mokhada)-Jawhar-Manor-Palghar section of NH-160A in Maharashtra at a total capital cost of ₹3,320.38 crore.
This 154.635 km project will be executed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode. The highway passes through industrial hubs west of Nashik, particularly Ambad and Satpur, which are home to a dense cluster of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) units. These regions generate substantial freight traffic, making this project crucial for logistics efficiency.
The upgraded highway will connect six PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes, one Social Node, and eight Logistics Nodes, enhancing Maharashtra’s logistics performance and contributing positively to the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) of the country.
Gujarat: New 4-Lane Sections on NH-56
In Gujarat, the CCEA approved the construction of 4-lane sections of Dhamasiya-Bitada/Movi and Nasarpore-Malotha, spanning 107.67 km at a total cost of ₹4,583.64 crore.
This segment is part of NH-56, which originates in Nimbahera (Rajasthan), passes through Dahod (Gujarat) and Alirajpur (Madhya Pradesh), and re-enters Gujarat near Chhota Udepur, ending at NH-48 near Vapi.
The project is designed for a speed of 100 km/h, enabling an average travel speed of 70 km/h. It is expected to reduce travel time by 40%, cutting it from 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours, thus significantly improving connectivity and transport efficiency in the region.
Telangana: Widening of NH-167
For Telangana, the CCEA approved the widening of National Highway-167 from Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar on the Hyderabad-Panaji Economic Corridor to a 4-lane standard, at a total cost of ₹3,175.08 crore.
The 80.01 km project will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) as part of the National Highways (Original) [NH (O)] scheme. This development is aimed at enhancing road capacity and safety while providing substantial economic benefits to Narayanpet and Mahabubnagar districts.
Strategic Importance of the Projects
These projects collectively aim to:
- Improve freight and passenger mobility across industrial and economic hubs.
- Reduce travel time significantly, boosting productivity and efficiency.
- Strengthen road infrastructure in line with the PM GatiShakti Master Plan.
- Facilitate better connectivity for logistics, social development, and regional growth.
With these approvals, the Union Government reinforces its commitment to modernizing national highways and enhancing transport infrastructure in key states, paving the way for faster economic growth and improved quality of life.
