New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) On Saturday, Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled an extensive array of highway enhancement and infrastructure initiatives across five states: Odisha, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan. These projects, worth Rs 3,200 crore, aim to bolster connectivity, enhance road safety, and stimulate local economies.

In Odisha, an investment of Rs 447.11 crore has been earmarked for the improvement of the 103.52-km Kurumpuri–Raj Khariar segment along NH-353 and NH-59, which traverses the Nuapada and Balangir districts.

This initiative will enhance interstate access to Chhattisgarh and facilitate better access to major tourist spots while promoting road safety through black spot rectification and paved shoulders, as stated by Minister Gadkari.

In a separate announcement, the Minister noted that in Gujarat, Rs 508 crore has been allocated for the improvement of the 68-km Naliya–Narayan Sarovar stretch of National Highway-41.

This project is set to improve connectivity to Narayan Sarovar, an important religious site, and enhance access to adjacent wildlife sanctuaries and tourist attractions. It will also focus on accident-prone areas, ensuring safer travel and reducing journey times while boosting connections to Mundra Port.

Additionally, another project amounting to Rs 698.78 crore has been approved in Gujarat for upgrading the 57.848-km Chitrod–Rapar–Balasar section of NH-927C. This corridor is crucial for industrial transport, particularly regarding raw materials for the Morbi ceramics industry, and links major tourist sites such as Dholavira and Dhordo. The project will also include a bypass for the city of Rapar to alleviate congestion.

In Madhya Pradesh, Rs 758 crore has been sanctioned for converting a 22-km segment of the Itarsi–Betul section of NH-46 into a four-lane highway. This stretch incorporates a vital tiger corridor, which will feature 11 dedicated underpasses and overpasses to ensure safe wildlife passage. The project aims to enhance freight efficiency, increase safety, and support farmers' market access.

For Uttarakhand, Rs 461 crore has been allocated for landslide mitigation and repair works at 20 susceptible locations, which includes 17 sites on NH-134 in Uttarkashi district and three sites on NH-9 in Pithoragarh district. These efforts are designed to ensure safer and uninterrupted connectivity, especially on routes critical for the Char Dham Yatra and border regions.

In Rajasthan, Rs 363.89 crore has been granted for the construction of an elevated corridor in Kherwara town along the Udaipur–Ratanpur–Shamlaji section of NH-48. This project will separate local and through traffic, address identified black spots, and alleviate congestion, thus enhancing travel time and safety.

Minister Gadkari emphasized that these initiatives are part of the Union government's ongoing commitment to develop world-class highway infrastructure, enhance logistics efficiency, and foster economic growth across various regions.