Centre Approves NHAI PIU in Vadodara to Improve NH-48 Traffic Flow

Vadodara: In an effort to prevent the massive traffic jams that repeatedly crippled the Vadodara–Bharuch stretch of National Highway 48 (NH-48) during last year’s monsoon, the Centre has rolled out a series of infrastructure and administrative measures, including the establishment of a dedicated National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in Vadodara.

The initiative follows representations made by Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, highlighting the recurring congestion and the need for a permanent local NHAI presence.

In a recent communication to Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta said the Ministry had examined the issues raised by the MP during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha regarding recurring traffic congestion on the Vadodara section of NH-48 and the need for a local NHAI office.

The minister noted that the Vadodara–Bharuch corridor is among the country’s busiest highway stretches, carrying heavy passenger and freight traffic. To ease congestion and improve safety, bridges at Vishwamitri, Jambuva, Por and Bamangam are currently under construction and are nearing completion.

To improve incident management, 24×7 highway patrolling and emergency ambulance services have also been deployed. The Ministry further noted that once the Vadodara–Navsari section of the Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway is completed, a significant share of heavy freight traffic is expected to shift away from NH-48, reducing congestion.

Calling the Vadodara–Bharuch corridor a vital route for both passenger and industrial traffic, Joshi said the new NHAI office in Vadodara would help ensure faster execution of projects and greater accountability on the ground. DeshGujarat