NH-48 Kamrej – Chalthan Stretch in Surat to Be Upgraded to Six Lanes at ₹686 Crore

Surat: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the approval for the upgradation of the Kamrej–Chalthan section of National Highway-48 in Surat district to six lanes at an estimated cost of ₹686.15 crore.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gadkari said, “Approval has been granted for the upgradation of the Kamrej–Chalthan section (length 13.875 km) of National Highway-48 in Surat district of Gujarat to six lanes, along with the construction of service roads, at a cost of ₹686.15 crore.”

This corridor is one of the busiest national highways in the country, with a heavy volume of commercial traffic, as several major industrial hubs are located along the route.

According to Gadkari, the project includes the expansion of the existing four-lane carriageway into a six-lane highway, along with the construction of service roads on both sides to enhance traffic management.

The upgradation is expected to significantly increase the corridor’s capacity and streamline vehicular movement. By separating long-distance and commercial traffic from local traffic, the project aims to improve road safety and reduce travel time for commuters.

It is noteworthy that the project was first mooted in 2009, nearly 17 years ago. The reason is that traffic pressure is particularly high near entry and exit points such as Kadodara and Kamrej, where congestion often worsens. The situation becomes more severe during the monsoon season, with traffic jams lasting up to two to three hours.

Sanjay Yadav, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Surat unit, said the widening project will significantly ease traffic congestion in South Gujarat, especially during the rainy season.

“The expansion of the 13-km stretch between Chalthan and Kamrej into six lanes will help reduce traffic jams and accidents. Additionally, two vehicular underpasses are being constructed, which will facilitate smoother entry and exit between NH-48 and Surat city,” he said. DeshGujarat