NH-62 four-laning: ₹1,359 crore Nagaur-Bikaner project approved
Synopsis
The Centre has cleared a ₹1,359 crore four-laning of NH-62 between Nagaur and Bikaner — a corridor that links two of Western Rajasthan's most economically significant districts. With the BOT-Toll model in play, this is as much about unlocking private investment as it is about road quality, and it comes with vocal backing from both the state government and the local MP.
Key Takeaways
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways approved four-laning of NH-62 on 10 June 2025 .
Project cost is estimated at ₹1,359.33 crore , to be executed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) model.
The corridor connects Nagaur and Bikaner in Western Rajasthan , targeting improved freight, tourism, and industrial activity.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma called it a milestone toward a 'Viksit Rajasthan.' Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal publicly thanked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on X for approving the project.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the four-laning of the Nagaur–Bikaner section of National Highway-62 (NH-62) in Rajasthan, officials confirmed on Wednesday, 10 June. The project, estimated at ₹1,359.33 crore, will be executed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) model and is expected to significantly upgrade connectivity across Western Rajasthan.
Project Scope and Expected Benefits
The upgraded four-lane corridor is designed to ease freight movement, reduce travel time, and open new avenues for investment and employment in the region. Beyond logistics, the project is expected to accelerate industrial growth and boost tourism-related activities in the Nagaur and Bikaner districts and their adjoining areas. This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to modernise National Highway infrastructure across India's western states.
What the Chief Minister Said
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma welcomed the approval, stating that infrastructure development in Rajasthan is progressing at an unprecedented pace under what he described as the 'double-engine government.' He emphasised that a modern, safe, and accessible road network is continuously expanding across the state to support economic growth and improve public convenience. Sharma added that the Nagaur–Bikaner four-laning project will inject fresh momentum into economic activities across the two districts and serve as a significant milestone in realising the vision of a 'Viksit Rajasthan.'
MP Hanuman Beniwal's Response
Nagaur MP and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief Hanuman Beniwal publicly thanked Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari via his official account on X. In his post, Beniwal said: 'I am pleased to share with the citizens of the Nagaur and Bikaner Parliamentary constituencies that Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has approved Rs 1,360 crore for widening the National Highway between Nagaur and Bikaner to four lanes. Upgrading this route from two lanes to four lanes will facilitate smoother travel and benefit the general public. I extend my gratitude to Nitin Gadkari for granting approval to this request of mine.'
Broader Infrastructure Context
The NH-62 upgrade is part of a sustained national effort to expand four-lane highway coverage in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions that have historically lagged in road quality. Western Rajasthan, which includes key agricultural and mineral-rich districts, has long been identified as a zone requiring improved surface transport to unlock its economic potential. Notably, better road access in the Bikaner corridor is also strategically significant given the region's proximity to the India-Pakistan border.
With formal approval now in place, project tendering and groundwork are expected to follow in the coming months, setting the stage for a tangible infrastructure shift in the Nagaur–Bikaner belt.
Point of View
Rather than simply improving commute times. Beniwal's public credit-claiming also underscores how infrastructure approvals have become a key currency in coalition-era politics, with regional parties eager to demonstrate deliverables to their constituencies.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NH-62 Nagaur-Bikaner four-laning project?
It is a ₹1,359.33 crore highway upgrade approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to widen the Nagaur–Bikaner section of National Highway-62 from two lanes to four lanes. The project will be executed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) model in Rajasthan.
Why is the Nagaur-Bikaner highway project significant?
The corridor connects two major districts in Western Rajasthan and is expected to improve freight movement, support industrial growth, and boost tourism. The region's proximity to the India-Pakistan border also gives the upgrade strategic importance beyond commerce.
Who approved the NH-62 four-laning project?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, headed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, approved the project. Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal credited Gadkari for the approval following what he described as his personal request.
What model will be used to fund and build the highway?
The project will be executed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (Toll) model, meaning a private concessionaire will construct and operate the highway and recover costs through toll collection over a defined concession period.
What is the expected impact on Rajasthan's economy?
Officials and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma have said the project will accelerate industrial growth, improve public convenience, and support tourism in Nagaur, Bikaner, and adjoining areas, contributing to the state's 'Viksit Rajasthan' development vision.
