The Union Cabinet has given the green light to eight national high-speed road corridor projects, spanning a total length of 936 kilometers and requiring an investment of ₹50,655 crore. The government aims to bolster logistics efficiency and connectivity throughout the nation with this ambitious initiative. Notably, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time to Ayodhya, as stated in the official press release. Furthermore, the travel time between Agra and Gwalior is projected to be halved. The implementation of these eight strategic projects is estimated to generate a substantial 4.42 crore mandays of direct and indirect employment.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved several key projects, including the 6-lane Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor, the 4-lane Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor, the 6-lane Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad National High-Speed Corridor, the 4-lane Ayodhya Ring Road, a 4-lane section between Pathalgaon and Gumla of the Raipur-Ranchi National Highspeed Corridor, and the 6-lane Kanpur Ring Road.
The 68-kilometer, 4-lane Ayodhya Ring Road, designed with access control, will be constructed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a cost of Rs. 3,935 crore. The Ring Road is anticipated to alleviate congestion on national highways traversing the city, including NH 27 (East West Corridor), NH 227 A, NH 227B, NH 330, NH 330A, and NH 135A. This will facilitate the swift movement of pilgrims visiting the Rama Mandir. Additionally, the Ring Road will provide seamless connectivity for national and international tourists arriving from Lucknow International Airport, Ayodhya Airport, and prominent railway stations within the city.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the new projects on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “’Tranformative’ boost to India’s infrastructure landscape! The Cabinet’s approval of 8 National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects at an expenditure of over ₹ 50,000 crore will have a ‘multiplier’ effect on our economic ‘growth’ and boost ‘employment’ opportunities. It also underlines our commitment to a futuristic and connected India.”
The 88-kilometer Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor will be constructed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) mode as a fully access-controlled 6-lane corridor, with a total capital cost of ₹4,613 crore. This corridor is poised to enhance connectivity to key tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh, such as the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and in Madhya Pradesh, including the Gwalior Fort. The project is expected to reduce the distance between Agra and Gwalior by 7 percent and the travel time by 50 percent, leading to a substantial reduction in logistics costs.
