Cabinet clears Rs 4,583 crore for four-laning of key NH-56 stretches in Gujarat

NEW DELHI : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the upgradation of two stretches of National Highway 56 in Gujarat to four-lane standards at a total capital cost of ₹4,583.64 crore.

The project involves the construction of four-lane sections from Dhamasiya to Bitada/Movi (47.46 km) and Nasarpore to Malotha (60.21 km), covering a total length of 107.67 km. The works will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

NH-56 originates at Nimbahera in Rajasthan, passes through Dahod district in Gujarat, Alirajpur district in Madhya Pradesh, and re-enters Gujarat near Chhota Udepur before terminating at its junction with NH-48 near Vapi.

The approved stretches pass through the aspirational district of Narmada and are expected to significantly improve connectivity to tribal regions in Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Tapi and Bharuch districts. Officials said the project will help spur economic growth and social development in these areas.

The upgraded corridor will also enhance access to the Statue of Unity, a major national tourist destination located about 11 km from NH-56 in Kevadia.

Designed for a speed of 100 km/h, the upgraded highway is expected to enable an average speed of 70 km/h, reducing travel time by around 40 per cent — from 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours across the project stretch.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through the National Highways Authority of India, has undertaken the upgradation of the congested Jambugam (Bodeli)–Malotha section (175 km) of NH-56 in four packages. Earlier stretches from Jambugam (Bodeli) to Dhamasiya and from Movi to Nasarpore were awarded in November 2025 and are currently under construction with a two-year completion timeline.

Upon completion of the newly approved sections, a continuous four-lane corridor from Bodeli to Malotha will be established. This is expected to ease congestion on NH-56 and improve connectivity to NH-53, NH-48 and the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (NE-4).

The 107.67-km project is projected to generate approximately 19.38 lakh man-days of direct employment and 22.82 lakh man-days of indirect employment during construction. Additional job opportunities are also anticipated due to increased economic activity along the corridor.