Gandhinagar: The Gujarat State Road Development Corporation (GSRDC) has invited proposals from consultants for carrying out feasibility studies and preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the development of six expressway packages across the state.

The proposed expressway packages span major routes: Deesa–Surendranagar (220 km), Surendranagar–Pipavav (211 km), Rajkot–Dwarka (209 km), Rajkot–Porbandar (190 km), Ahmedabad–Rajkot (170 km), and Jetpur–Somnath (110 km). These expressways aim to enhance regional connectivity and support infrastructure development in Gujarat.

As per the tender document, the feasibility study and DPR preparation are to be completed within 12 months, inclusive of all deliverables. The main objective of the consultancy service is to establish the technical, economic, and financial viability of the projects and to prepare detailed reports for the construction of 4/6-lane greenfield expressways. New greenfield alignments and/or partial use of brownfield alignments (upgradable to expressway standards) are also to be evaluated based on techno-economic studies.

The DPRs must include complete highway design, pavement options (flexible or rigid), bridge and drainage structure design, service road layouts, detailed cost estimates, environmental and social assessments, and safety audits.

Consultants are required to conduct feasibility studies, suggest the preferred mode of implementation based on financial analysis, and prepare project tender documents suitable for competitive bidding. Right of Way (RoW) requirements, land acquisition analysis, and environmental considerations, especially the avoidance of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, are integral to the planning process. A minimum RoW of 90 meters is proposed, with expressways designed for up to 8 lanes and service roads in inhabited areas.

Interested consultants must submit online bids by 6:00 pm on June 5, while physical copies of the tender fee, EMD, and key documents must reach GSRDC by June 12.

It is noteworthy that these packages are part of two major expressway projects announced earlier this year in the state budget. The two new expressways to be developed connecting the Deesa–Pipavav route will be known as the Namo Shakti Expressway. The second, the Somnath–Dwarka Expressway, will be linked to Ahmedabad–Rajkot and then further to Dwarka on one side and Porbandar on the other. In total, the Namo Shakti Expressway will span 430 kilometers and is expected to be developed at a cost of ₹39,120 crore. The Somnath–Dwarka Expressway will cover 680 kilometers, with an estimated cost of ₹57,120 crore. DeshGujarat