Did Gujarat CM Approve a ₹2,609-Crore Plan for Resurfacing 1,258 Rural Roads?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Gujarat CM approved ₹2,609 crore for rural road resurfacing.
- 1,258 roads covering 4,196 km will be upgraded.
- Project targets regions in north, south Gujarat, and Saurashtra.
- Enhances economic activities and mobility in rural areas.
- Aligns with Gujarat's long-term infrastructure goals.
Gandhinagar, Sep 1 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, has taken a significant step towards enhancing rural infrastructure by approving a substantial budget of ₹2,609 crore for the resurfacing and related improvements of panchayat-managed roads throughout the state, according to government officials.
This initiative will encompass 1,258 roads covering a total distance of 4,196 km, aimed at providing smoother, all-weather access to rural villages.
The plan includes upgrades for 487 roads (spanning 1,609 km) in north Gujarat, 499 roads (totalling 1,528 km) in south Gujarat, and 272 roads (covering 1,059 km) in the Saurashtra region.
This decision is a direct response to persistent requests from local leaders and rural communities, who have been advocating for durable roads that can withstand year-round weather conditions.
Officials anticipate that this initiative will significantly enhance the rural road infrastructure, improving connectivity within villages and facilitating transportation to adjacent towns and cities.
By upgrading road networks, the state government intends to stimulate economic activity, enhance mobility, and foster overall development in Gujarat's rural areas.
Gujarat has established itself as a frontrunner in India's road infrastructure, featuring an extensive network of over 1.63 lakh km of roads, which includes expressways, national highways, state highways, and rural roads.
The state is known for having India’s first expressway—the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway—and has consistently invested in improving highways, coastal roads, and village connectivity through initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and various state-led projects.
With initiatives like the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, industrial corridors, and logistics hubs, Gujarat is positioning itself as a major contributor to road-driven economic growth.
The 2024-25 state budget places a strong emphasis on infrastructure, with a significant portion allocated to enhancing rural connectivity through all-weather roads, expanding expressways, and modernizing state highways to support industrial and logistics corridors.
The budget also highlights smart city initiatives, metro projects in Ahmedabad and Surat, coastal infrastructure, and transport systems linked to renewable energy.