Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Surat, Gujarat, on June 5, 2026, coinciding with World Environment Day. During the visit, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth ₹12,421 crore in South Gujarat. He will inaugurate two packages of the Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway and lay the foundation stone for four key highway projects. These projects are expected to strengthen connectivity across Gujarat, particularly in South Gujarat, and provide a major boost to regional economic development.

Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway Packages VI and VII to Be Inaugurated

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 36-km Kim–Ena section (Package VI) and the 27.5-km Gandeva–Ena section (Package VII) of the Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway. Both packages have been developed at a combined cost of ₹7,689 crore.

The project includes a comprehensive network of major and minor bridges, railway bridges, flyovers and vehicle underpasses. A total of 70 underpasses and two interchanges have been constructed to improve local connectivity and ensure smooth traffic movement. With the operationalisation of this eight-lane corridor, regional connectivity will improve significantly, enabling faster travel. To further enhance safety and convenience, seven well-equipped wayside amenities will be developed across the two packages.

The commissioning of these sections will improve freight movement along the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway corridor and help reduce logistics costs for local industries, in line with the objectives of the Bharatmala Project.

In addition, foundation stones will be laid for four National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects worth ₹4,732 crore. These include the four-laning of NH-56 (Package IV) from Dhamasia to Bitada/Movi, the four-laning of NH-56 (Package VI) from Nasarpore to Malotha, a six-lane vehicle underpass near Reliance, and a vehicle underpass-cum-flyover at Kawas on the Surat–Hazira section of NH-53.

NH-56 Upgradation to Boost Connectivity in Tribal Districts

The four-laning of the Dhamasia–Bitada and Nasarpore–Malotha stretches under the NH-56 upgradation project will enhance connectivity to the Statue of Unity and the tribal districts of Narmada, Tapi, Valsad and Chhota Udepur.

The project will also support local development by improving access for farmers, industries and key trade corridors. The 107.67-km four-lane corridor is expected to reduce travel time by around 40 minutes and increase average travel speeds by nearly 75 per cent. It will connect pharmaceutical and medical clusters, fishing and seafood hubs, tribal regions, and key logistics nodes, including an airport, two railway stations and two ports.

Hazira to Get 6-Lane Flyover and Vehicle Underpass

Two projects worth about ₹149 crore will be undertaken on the Hazira Port–Surat section of NH-53. These include a six-lane flyover and a vehicle underpass aimed at ensuring smooth movement of heavy goods vehicles towards Hazira Port and surrounding industrial areas.

The projects will support maritime trade and industrial growth while enabling safer and congestion-free travel for Surat residents. They are expected to ease traffic pressure in the high-density industrial zone around Hazira Port and improve overall transport efficiency. DeshGujarat