Vapi: The Government has suspended the planned upgrade of the Vapi to Vyara section of Vapi–Shamlaji National Highway 56 (NH-56) to a four-lane road following continued protests by local tribal communities.

In 2022–23, the government announced the expansion of the highway, estimated to cost ₹1,600 crore, which passes through South Gujarat’s tribal belt. This was followed by the initiation of land acquisition procedures for the 130 km stretch from Vapi to Songadh–Vyara. However, strong opposition emerged in several villages, particularly in Vyara, where locals, supported by Vansda MLA Anant Patel, organised protests and rallies demanding the cancellation of the project.

Due to this sustained opposition, authorities have now begun the process of withdrawing land acquisition entries. “The four-lane project from Vyara to Vapi on NH-56 has been suspended. Approval has been sought from the government to withdraw land acquisition entries, and all entries will be withdrawn once approval is received,” said Amit Chaudhary, Provincial Officer, Dharampur.

“The Vyara–Vapi project has been suspended, and an alternative route will be considered. The estimated cost was ₹15–20 crore per kilometre. The project will not proceed at present,” added Anuj Sharma, Project Director, NHAI.

Initially, land from 14 villages in Dharampur and Kaprada talukas was to be acquired for the project—covering 9 villages in Dharampur, 5 in Kaprada, and parts of 2 villages in Vapi taluka. Local residents expressed concern that houses, trees, and farmlands would be affected.

Residents of Motapondha pointed out that typically, when the government issues a gazette notification for such projects, it should also release a detailed project report outlining which wells, houses, trees, and lands would be impacted. They claimed this information was not shared publicly, and the lack of transparency fuelled further opposition.

The government’s original plan aimed to develop NH-56 from Vapi to Shamlaji, covering Vyara, Songadh, Unai, Vansda, Dharampur, Nanapondha, Motapondha, and Vapi in South Gujarat. With the suspension of the Vapi–Vyara section, it appears that only the section from Vyara to Shamlaji may go ahead for now. DesGujarat