Surat: In a major step to ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents on National Highway-53 between Sachin and Hazira via Ichhapore, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved the construction of three flyovers at a total cost of ₹142 crore. The flyovers will be built near Abhva, Khajod, and at the Mindhola River bridge connection, bringing long-awaited relief to local residents and industries in the Hazira belt.

The approval follows a presentation made in New Delhi by Choryasi MLA Sandeep Desai highlighting persistent traffic jams, rising accident risks, and economic losses caused by delays on the busy industrial corridor.

Hazira is one of the country’s key industrial hubs, hosting major companies such as L&T, KRIBHCO, AMNS, Reliance, GAIL, NTPC, Essar Port, and Adani Port. With thousands of employees commuting daily and continuous movement of containers, trucks, and heavy vehicles, nearly 25,000 vehicles use the Sachin-Ichhapore-Hazira stretch every day, leading to frequent congestion during peak hours. Furthermore, many villages are also located along the stretch, and the overlap of local and highway traffic has significantly increased the likelihood of accidents.

According to the approved plan, a flyover near Abhva will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹48 crore, another near Khajod at ₹50 crore, and a third flyover connecting National Highway-53 to the Mindhola River bridge between Abhva and Ubharat at ₹44 crore. Service roads will also be developed alongside the structures.

Once completed, the project is expected to ensure smoother traffic flow, reduce congestion, improve road safety, and cut travel time and fuel consumption for commuters and industries operating in the Hazira region. DeshGujarat