Olpad: A Rs. 356 crore coastal link highway project in South Gujarat was officially launched today as MLA Mukesh Patel performed the groundbreaking ceremony (Khatmuhurat) for a new coastal highway in Pardi Jakhri village. Distance to Bharuch which was 55 km will be cut to 18 km due to this highway. The traffic from Hazira will divert to this coastal highway.

Connecting Ports and Boosting Growth

The project features an 18-kilometer long, four-lane highway that is expected to provide a massive boost to the state’s industrial development. According to the project details, the road will pass through both the Surat and Bharuch districts, serving as a vital link between multiple ports and various districts.

The highway will traverse the Olpad coastal belt, directly connecting the villages of:

• Dandi
• Mor
• Nes
• Bhagva
• Pardi Jakhri.

During the ceremony, MLA Mukesh Patel emphasized that the highway is a multi-purpose infrastructure asset designed to enhance local transportation, create jobs, foster socio-economic development, and boost tourism in the region.

Dahej and Hazira Ports Linking

Gujarat, which has a coastline stretching nearly 1,600 kilometres, is set to strengthen its coastal connectivity with the development of a new coastal link road between Dandi village in Olpad taluka of Surat district and Kantiyajal village in Bharuch district. The project aims to bridge a crucial missing link in the state’s coastal road network and enhance connectivity between major industrial zones and ports.

At present, the existing state highway connects villages of the Hazira industrial area to the Olpad coastal region through the bridge near Tenarang village. However, the stretch between Dandi and Kantiyajal remains disconnected, creating a gap in the coastal transport corridor.

The proposed link will integrate with four important state highways in Olpad taluka, including:

• Surat – Olpad – Sahol road

• Surat – Dandi road

• Olpad – Karanj road

• Olpad – Saras – Kudiana road

To facilitate the new coastal route, bridges will be constructed over the Senakhadi creek and the Keem River, both of which pass through the Olpad region.

Officials say the project will significantly improve connectivity and support industrial expansion in the region, particularly by strengthening transport links between Hazira Port in Surat and Dahej Port in Bharuch. Improved logistics connectivity is expected to attract new industrial units along the corridor.

The project is also expected to benefit coastal villages such as Dandi, Mor, Bhagwa, Nesh and Pardijankhari, where improved transport infrastructure could boost tourism, employment opportunities and overall socio-economic development.

Currently, the journey between Dandi and Kantiyajal, covering around 55 kilometres, takes approximately one and a half hours. With the new coastal highway reducing the travel distance by about 36 kilometres, the travel time is expected to come down to around 30 minutes, resulting in significant fuel savings and faster movement of goods and people.

The proposed coastal corridor is expected to play an important role in strengthening Gujarat’s coastal economy and improving connectivity between key industrial and port hubs of the state.

A Sharp Political Attack

Beyond the infrastructure news, the event was marked by a strong political address in which Patel criticized opposition leaders. He compared Congress politicians to “frogs” who only appear during specific cycles.

“When it rains once a year, the frogs come out, right?” Patel asked the crowd. “But these ‘Congressi frogs’ only come out once every five years”. He alleged that these leaders remain absent for the duration of their terms, only appearing during election seasons to make grand promises to the voters of Olpad.

Patel concluded by stating that his “brave workers and voters” are well aware of this pattern and will not be misled by seasonal political appearances. DeshGujarat