CCEA nods ₹4,583 crore plan to upgrade Gujarat's NH-56 to four lanes

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the four-lane upgrade of the Dhamasiya-Bitada, Movi and Nasarpur-Malotha sections of NH 56 in Gujarat at an estimated cost of ₹4,583.64 crore.

The CCEA said the project will be constructed on HAM mode and its total length will be 107.67 km.

The project is a part of NH-56 which originates from Nimbahera in Rajasthan state and passes through Dahod district of Gujarat, Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh state, re-enters Gujarat near Chhota Udaipur district and terminates at its junction with NH-48 near Vapi.

The approved projects pass through Narmada district and will help connect the tribal areas of Dahod, Chhota Udaipur, Tapi, and Bharuch, contributing to the region's economic development. The project will also improve connectivity to the Statue of Unity, a major national tourist destination located in Kevadia village, approximately 11 kilometers from NH-56.

The project is designed for a speed of 100 km/h, which will result in an average speed of 70 km/h and reduce travel time by 40 per cent from 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours.

Approved projects along the 107.67 km route will generate approximately 19.38 lakh man-days of direct employment and 22.82 lakh man-days of indirect employment. The project will also generate additional employment opportunities due to increased economic activity in the area surrounding the proposed corridor.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has initiated the four-laning of the congested Jambugam (Bodeli)-Malotha section (175 km) of NH-56 under four packages. Contracts have already been awarded for the Jambugam (Bodeli) to Dhamasia and Movi to Nasarpur sections, and construction work commenced in November 2025, with a target completion date of two years. Upon completion, these projects will provide continuous four-lane connectivity from Bodeli to Malotha, reducing congestion on NH-56 and providing improved connectivity to NH-53, NH-48, and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4).