Vadodara-Jambusar road to be completed in 20 months

The work to widen the road connecting Vadodara with Jambusar will begin shortly under the road improvisation project.

State chief minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the reformation project in Padra near Vadodara on Thursday. The project for connecting two industrially developed centres in central Gujarat would cost about Rs 63 crore.

The four-lane highway will be ready within 20 months from now. The 45-km long highway between Vadodara and Jambusar will pass through Padra, Gajera and Vanchhara.

"The distance may seem very little today but the stretch will be an important section for the highway project connecting Surat and Bhavnagar in Saurashtra. The infrastructure of roads is a life line for growth of industry and economy as a whole. Industrial development is a priority for the state government," said Modi.

The estimated cost for the entire project for improvising about 1,800 km roads is Rs 2,000 crore. Of the Rs 2,000 crore, the World Bank is providing about Rs 1,400 crore to be spend in next five years.

The foremost routs of 820 km will be widening and improvised, while 980 km road long roads will be developed newly.

Talking about a number of projects the state government has undertaken for improvising the infrastructure in state Modi said: "Not much attention has been paid to the infrastructure development so far. But the state government is committed to develop infrastructure in all sectors including water, liquid natural gas (LNG) pipeline and fibre optics network in state. The entire state will be covered by the pipeline for gas and fibre optic cables, which will enhance the standard of living in rural areas."

The plan for moving water of Damanganga River to Chorwad through gravity force is under observation, added Modi. So far five roads of 240 km have been completed in different parts of the state. At present work is in progress for about 540 km long roads at various sites at Godhra to Shamlaji, Viramgam to Haldav and Bharuch to Dahej.

New roads of 515 km have been built so far between 38 destinations at places including Borsad and Padra, Halol and Bodeli. And work is in progress at 10 more places between 20 destinations passing through number of villages.

Recently the state government has floated tenders for 213 km long routes.