Gujarat govt pushes for more national express-way in state

In view of union Roads and Transport minister CP Joshi’s Gujarat visit on Saturday, it would be interesting to note Gujarat government’s pending proposal in centre related to his ministry.

Government of Gujarat has submitted a proposal for inclusion of 2871 Km. of Roads as part of the National Express-way network. As it is the one of the leading industrial states in the country and is eligible for the more express -way looking to its strategic location and industrial growth. In the preparation of report of National Expressway Network only part of Gujarat is considered and Saurashtra region having many ports is totally neglected. Connectivity of express-way with ports will be beneficial to the National Express-way Network. Chief Minister has also written to GOI on the issue however no reply has been received.

The Ministry of Road & Transport had awarded a Consultancy Services for Formulation of a Master Plan for a National Expressway Network in the country in December 2008.

All the State Governments were requested to offer their views on the Draft Report submitted by the consultants. The Government of Gujarat requested for inclusion of about 2,871 Km. Stretches of roads in the proposed Master Plan. The Final Report submitted by the consultants, duly considering the views observations received from the State Governments (Including Gujarat) and recommending inter-alia an Expressway Network of about 18,637 Km. for completion in a prioritized manner in three phases spanning upto the year 2022 which has been accepted by the Government. However, from overall perspective of broad integration of the Expressway Network in the entire country, the exact alignment proposed by various States could not be adhered to by the consultants while proposing the National Expressway Master Plan in the Final Report.

A highly placed official in the state Government said that,“the master plan includes the following segments of National Expressway Corridors passing through the state of Gujarat (i) Ahmedbad-Rajkot (215 Km) (ii) Bamanbore-Kandla (210 Km.) (iii) Surat- Nagpur-Raipur-Kolkata (1760 Km) and (iv) Ahmedabad-Ratlam (350 Km.) GOI should consider the proposal submitted by Government of Gujarat and give more Expressways to the state in view of high industrialization and port development.”