₹3,800 Crore push for Expressways, Garvi Gujarat High-Speed Corridor in Budget 2026

GANDHINAGAR : The Gujarat Budget for 2026–27 has announced a series of major initiatives aimed at developing and strengthening road and expressway infrastructure across the state, with a total allocation of ₹29,709 crore made to the Road and Building Department.

Expressways and High-Speed Corridors
The state is set to accelerate major projects with an additional provision of ₹3,000 crore for the Namo Shakti Expressway and Somnath–Dwarka Expressway. These projects are designed to connect vital locations while serving as a unique blend of culture and tourism, stated Finance Minister Kanu Desai.

Furthermore, the government has declared approximately 1,155 km of road stretches across various regions as the “Garvi Gujarat High-Speed Corridor,” for which a provision of ₹800 crore has been made to support modern infrastructure and regional development. The government also plans to upgrade heavily trafficked roads into high-speed corridors.

Rural and Tribal Connectivity
Ensuring “the last person in the remotest rural areas” is connected remains a primary goal. Under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana, ₹5,600 crore has been provisioned for connecting villages and hamlets, maintaining existing roads, and replacing causeways with high bridges. Additional rural infrastructure support includes:

• ₹400 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
• A dedicated ₹950 crore for roads and bridges in tribal areas

Strategic and Urban Infrastructure
The budget prioritizes high-growth zones and tourism. At Dholera SIR, ₹610 crore is allocated for Phase-1 logistics and trunk infrastructure, which includes the development of modern roads. An additional ₹182 crore is provisioned specifically for road development under infrastructure augmentation at Dholera.

Other key urban and strategic announcements include:

• ₹100 crore to develop the SG Highway as a green urban highway
• Plans to construct and improve road connectivity from Keshod Airport to religious and tourist sites
• ₹10 crore earmarked for the cleanliness of roads connecting industrial estates

Safety, Maintenance, and Technology
To modernize the state’s highway management, ₹40 crore will be used to install an Intelligent Traffic System on major state highways for improved safety and security. The state has also allocated ₹500 crore for building overbridges at DFCC and railway crossings to ensure a railway-crossing-free environment.

Maintenance and widening efforts are supported by:

• ₹150 crore for short-term road maintenance contracts
• ₹125 crore for shifting obstructing overhead transmission lines and electricity infrastructure during road widening
• ₹32 crore for white topping of roads.