CM Bhajan Lal Hails ₹1,359 Cr NH-62 Four-Lane Nod
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma on 10 June 2026 welcomed a central government sanction of over ₹1,359 crore for four-laning NH-62 between Nagaur and Bikaner, calling it a boost to connectivity, trade, tourism, and employment in western Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
The central government has approved over ₹1,359 crore for the four-laning of NH-62 between Nagaur and Bikaner in western Rajasthan.
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma announced the approval on 10 June 2026 , crediting PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari .
The project is expected to improve travel safety and convenience along the Nagaur-Bikaner corridor.
Anticipated benefits include growth in tourism, trade, industry, investment, and employment in western Rajasthan.
The approval aligns with the Bharatmala Pariyojana programme targeting highway upgrades across India.
NHAI is expected to initiate tendering and land acquisition for the stretch following the financial sanction.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday, 10 June 2026 welcomed the central government's approval of over ₹1,359 crore for the four-laning of the Nagaur-Bikaner National Highway (NH-62) in western Rajasthan, crediting the decision to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Context
CM Sharma posted on X in Hindi, stating: 'आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी के दूरदर्शी नेतृत्व में केंद्र सरकार द्वारा नागौर-बीकानेर राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग (एनएच-62) के फोरलेन निर्माण हेतु ₹1359 करोड़ से अधिक की स्वीकृति प्रदान की गई है।' ['Under the visionary leadership of respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the central government has granted approval of more than ₹1,359 crore for the four-laning of the Nagaur-Bikaner National Highway (NH-62).'] The chief minister described the project as a significant step that will make travel on this corridor 'more convenient and safe' while generating new opportunities in tourism, trade, industry, investment, and employment.
The post also extended formal gratitude to PM Modi and Gadkari for sanctioning the project, signalling close coordination between the state BJP government and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Policy Backdrop
The approval fits within the broader Bharatmala Pariyojana, the central government's flagship highway development programme, which was approved in 2015 to construct and upgrade over 34,000 km of national highways across India, including key stretches in Rajasthan. Western Rajasthan districts such as Nagaur and Bikaner have been specifically identified under the National Infrastructure Pipeline for improved road connectivity to integrate the arid region with national markets.
The post-2014 acceleration of NH construction under the NDA government has emphasised multimodal connectivity and economic corridors in desert regions, with NH-62 forming a critical east-west link in the state's road network. Analysts have also flagged possible future linkages between this corridor and larger expressway projects traversing western India.
Stakeholders and Impact
The four-laning of NH-62 is expected to directly benefit residents, traders, and tourism operators across Nagaur and Bikaner districts, two of western Rajasthan's most commercially active areas. Bikaner is a major hub for the agro-processing, handicrafts, and camel-research sectors, while Nagaur hosts significant cattle fairs and mineral industries.
Improved highway infrastructure is widely seen as a catalyst for industrial investment in these districts, reducing logistics costs and transit times to ports and larger urban centres. Local industry bodies and tourism operators have long sought better road connectivity to tap into the region's economic potential.
What's Next
Following the financial sanction, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will be expected to initiate tendering and land acquisition processes for the Nagaur-Bikaner stretch. The timelines for these processes will determine when construction can begin on the ground.
The project's progress will be closely watched by stakeholders in western Rajasthan, particularly given the region's strategic importance for defence logistics, border trade, and tourism. A successful and timely execution could serve as a template for further highway upgrades across the state's underserved western districts.
Point of View
359-crore sanction for NH-62 four-laning is as much a political signal as an infrastructure milestone — CM Bhajan Lal Sharma is publicly anchoring the delivery of a long-pending western Rajasthan demand to the BJP's central leadership, reinforcing the party's connectivity narrative ahead of future electoral cycles. The post follows a well-established template of state BJP governments amplifying central infrastructure approvals to consolidate credit with regional constituencies. For western Rajasthan, where road quality has historically lagged behind eastern districts, the project addresses a genuine development gap. The real test, however, will be NHAI's ability to move from sanction to shovels without the land-acquisition delays that have stalled comparable projects in the state.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NH-62 four-laning project in Rajasthan?
The NH-62 four-laning project involves upgrading the Nagaur-Bikaner National Highway in western Rajasthan to a four-lane road, with the central government sanctioning over ₹1,359 crore for the work. The project aims to improve road safety, reduce travel time, and boost economic activity in the region.
How much money has been approved for the Nagaur-Bikaner highway?
The central government has approved more than ₹1,359 crore for the four-laning of NH-62 between Nagaur and Bikaner, as announced by Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma on 10 June 2026 .
What is Bharatmala Pariyojana and how does it relate to this project?
Bharatmala Pariyojana is the central government's flagship highway development programme, approved in 2015 , targeting the construction and upgrade of over 34,000 km of national highways including key corridors in Rajasthan. The NH-62 four-laning approval is consistent with the programme's focus on improving connectivity in western India.
Who sanctioned the NH-62 Nagaur-Bikaner highway project?
The sanction was granted by the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi , with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari overseeing the approval. Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma publicly thanked both leaders for the decision.
What are the expected benefits of the NH-62 four-laning for western Rajasthan?
The four-laning of NH-62 is expected to make travel safer and more convenient, while generating new opportunities in tourism, trade, industry, investment, and employment across Nagaur and Bikaner districts and the broader western Rajasthan region.
