Vadodara: The Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) are advancing an ambitious 66.08 km-long and 75-metre-wide ring road project designed to serve as the “backbone” of the city’s development for decades to come.

With an estimated cost exceeding ₹1,500 crore, the project, first proposed in 2012, aims to significantly reduce inner-city traffic congestion by diverting heavy vehicles and providing direct links to major expressways. Recently, Phase 1 of the project, covering 27.58 km, has been completed at a cost of around ₹317 crore.

Phase 1 Completion and Expansion

The project is being executed in five phases, with key developments including:

• Phase 1 Status: Construction of the initial 27.58 km stretch has been completed at a cost of ₹316.78 crore, of which ₹264.5 crore was spent by VUDA and ₹52.2 crore by VMC.
• Integrated Infrastructure: The project includes essential utilities such as drainage, stormwater systems, and street lighting.
• Next Steps: Work on Phase 2 has commenced. Authorities plan to prioritise opening Phases 1 and 2 to connect traffic from Halol and Ahmedabad, while Phases 3, 4, and 5 are planned over the next 5 to 10 years.

All About Phase 1

In the first phase, the ring road has been split into two sections — eastern and western. The western stretch will cover 16.84 km, including 13.89 km of the main ring road and 2.95 km of connecting roads.

This section will link three state highways, connecting Vadodara–Padra, Vadodara–Sevasi–Sindharot, and Vadodara–Undera–Koyali routes via Chapad, Chanasad, and Intola to National Highway 48. Of this, 10.1 km falls under VUDA jurisdiction, while 6.47 km lies within the VMC area.

The eastern stretch will comprise a 10.74 km-long road, which will connect state highways leading to Vadodara–Ajwa, Vadodara–Waghodia, and Vadodara–Dabhoi. This includes 10.24 km within the VUDA area and 0.5 km under VMC limits.

Boost to Industrial and Economic Activity

VUDA Chairman Arun Mahesh Babu said the project is aligned with a Regional Economic Master Plan. Plans are underway to develop logistics parks in the northern and southern corridors to manage freight movement from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and northern India.

The broader vision includes the development of food parks, an IT corridor, a knowledge city, and expanded GIDC industrial zones. The ring road will also provide direct connectivity to the Delhi Mumbai Expressway, enabling long-distance traffic to bypass residential areas.

Future Outlook

Officials expect the project to drive economic growth, with new Town Planning schemes and commercial hubs likely to emerge in peripheral areas. Once fully operational, the ring road is expected to reduce travel time and fuel consumption while bringing metro-level infrastructure to Vadodara. DeshGujarat