Jalgaon: The four-laning project of the Ankleshwar–Burhanpur National Highway (NH-753B), which connects Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh via Maharashtra, has gained momentum after remaining stalled for several years due to farmers’ objections, administrative delays, and technical hurdles. The project has now entered a decisive phase of land acquisition, and authorities expect construction work to begin later this year after the monsoon.

The Ankleshwar–Burhanpur highway passes through seven villages in Netrang and Dediapada in Gujarat before entering Maharashtra, where it traverses Taloda and Shahada talukas in Nandurbar district, Shirpur in Dhule district, and Chopda, Yawal, and Raver talukas in Jalgaon district. The route will also connect three villages in Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh. The project will provide direct national highway connectivity to remote border areas located in the foothills of the Satpura range.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier issued a land acquisition notification for the four-laning project, but the process was delayed for years after farmers and local residents raised objections over compensation rates, road alignment, and division of agricultural land, keeping the project on hold.

In recent months, the administration adopted a coordination-based approach and held meetings with farmers to resolve pending issues. The response turned positive after clarity was provided on compensation, following which joint measurement and demarcation of land began as per legal procedure.

Officials said that after completing the process in Chopda taluka, joint measurement for the Yawal–Savda stretch has also been completed, and land demarcation in the area is now finished. With the acquisition process accelerating, the next phase of the project is expected to move forward quickly.

Alternate routes planned during construction

According to NHAI sources, road construction will begin immediately after completion of land acquisition. If legal and administrative formalities proceed on schedule, the project is likely to be formally launched soon after Diwali.

As the existing highway will be expanded into four lanes, alternative routes are being developed to ensure smooth traffic movement during construction. In Yawal taluka, rural roads running parallel to the highway are being upgraded to serve as diversion routes, with funds being provided under the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Work such as gravel laying on kutcha roads, preparation of the sub-base, concreting, and construction of drainage channels is currently underway in phases. These roads are also expected to benefit farmers by improving connectivity for transporting agricultural produce in the future. DeshGujarat