New Delhi, Feb 14 (.) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a Rs 4,583.64-crore highway project to construct four-lane sections of Dhamasiya–Bitada/Movi (47.46 km) and Nasarpore–Malotha (60.21 km) in Gujarat, covering a total length of 107.67 km under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision on Saturday, briefing reporters on outcomes of Friday’s Cabinet meeting.
“The project will significantly improve connectivity in tribal and aspirational districts, reduce travel time and stimulate economic development in the region,” Vaishnaw said.
The approved stretches are part of National Highway-56, which 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.
Vaisnaw said the upgraded sections will pass through the Aspirational District of Narmada and will strengthen connectivity to tribal-dominated areas in Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Tapi and Bharuch districts.
The project is also expected to improve access to the Statue of Unity, located in Kevadia village about 11 km from NH-56. The monument, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is one of India’s most prominent tourist destinations.
Designed for a top speed of 100 km/h with an average operational speed of 70 km/h, the upgraded highway is expected to cut travel time along the stretch by 40% — from approximately 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has already taken up the four-laning of the congested 175-km Jambugam (Bodeli)–Malotha section of NH-56 in four packages.
Construction on adjacent stretches — from Jambugam (Bodeli) to Dhamasiya and from Movi to Nasarpore — commenced in November 2025, with a targeted completion period of two years.
Upon completion of all packages, a continuous four-lane corridor from Bodeli to Malotha will be established. This is expected to ease congestion on NH-56 and enhance 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. Officials said additional jobs are likely to be created due to increased economic activity along the corridor.
By improving road infrastructure in underserved and tribal areas, the government aims to promote regional development, boost tourism, and facilitate smoother movement of goods and passengers across western India.
With improved integration into major national highway networks and economic corridors, the NH-56 upgradation is expected to serve as a key growth catalyst for Gujarat and adjoining regions. . SKA .