Surat: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved projects worth ₹1,185 crore for the construction and upgradation of various roads in Surat, Navsari, Tapi, Valsad and Dang districts under Phase-1 of the Surat Economic Region (SER) Scheme. A significant portion of the allocation will be used to improve roads connecting major tourist destinations. The projects include widening key roads to four or six lanes where required and construction of bypasses in selected towns.

According to an official press release, the Mora–Suvali Beach road along the Surat coast will be developed to improve connectivity to Suvali Beach, which has emerged as a major tourist destination in the district. The popular Suvali Beach Festival attracts large crowds every year, and improved road infrastructure is expected to further boost tourism and local economic activity. The road, earlier widened to 10 metres under Coastal Highway Phase-1, will now be upgraded to a four-lane road from Mora to Suvali.

The Ahmedabad–Dandi Heritage Route will also be widened to facilitate smoother travel along the historic path of Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March. The road passing through Kadrama, Airthan, Takarama, Bhatgam, Mohammadpura, Gola and Sandhiyar villages will be expanded from three metres to seven metres, reducing traffic congestion and improving access to the heritage route.

In Valsad district, a causeway will be constructed on the Kolak River on the coastal highway near Umarsadi. This route connects Valsad with Daman and passes through important tourist and religious locations including Udvada Agiary and the Umarsadi walkway bridge. The existing 10-metre road will be widened and converted into a four-lane highway.

The Waghai–Ahwa state highway in Dang district, which connects several interior villages with the district headquarters, will also be upgraded to four lanes. The road is crucial for access to pilgrimage sites such as Shabridham, Pampa Sarovar, Agnikund and Pandav Gufa, as well as tourist destinations including Don Hill Station, Mahal Campsite, Devnimal Campsite, Saputara Hill Station and the Statue of Unity–Saputara route.

Similarly, the Chikhli–Khergam–Dharampur road will be widened to four lanes, improving access to Dharampur and nearby hill destinations such as Wilson Hill, especially during the monsoon season. Improved connectivity is expected to benefit eco-tourism sites across South Gujarat, including Kevdi Eco-Tourism Site, Padamdungari, Unai Temple, Waghai Botanical Garden, Vansda National Park, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary and Gira Falls.

The government said the road projects will not only strengthen tourism infrastructure but also create employment opportunities for local residents and accelerate regional development in South Gujarat.