Cabinet Set to Approve ₹50,000 Crore Plan for Major Highway Developments
Cabinet Set to Approve ₹50,000 Crore Plan for Major Highway Developments
Government to Greenlight Eight Key Highway Projects Under PPP Model
Major highway projects, spanning five states, poised for cabinet approval as NHAI ramps up efforts to attract developers.
The Union Cabinet is expected to consider a significant highway development proposal today, which includes eight major projects worth approximately ₹50,000 crore. These projects, spread across Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, are set to enhance connectivity and infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPP).
The key projects include:
- 68-km Ayodhya Bypass in Uttar Pradesh
- 121-km Guwahati Ring Road in Assam
- 516-km Kharagpur-Siliguri Expressway in West Bengal
- 88-km Agra-Gwalior Greenfield Highway in Madhya Pradesh
- 30-km Elevated Highway with eight lanes between Nasik and Khed (Pune) in Maharashtra
These projects will be executed under the PPP model, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) having already invited bids for most of them. The NHAI has engaged with highway developers to generate interest and ensure competitive bidding.
Since each project exceeds ₹1,000 crore, they require appraisal by the Inter-Ministerial Panel of the Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPAC) and final approval from the Cabinet. “We have received positive feedback from interested players. Once the Cabinet grants approval, we will proceed with awarding the contracts,” an official stated.
In a shift from past practices, the government may not provide umbrella approvals for large-scale schemes like “Bharatmala” in the immediate future. Instead, each project costing over ₹1,000 crore will be individually sent to the Cabinet for approval. The Highway Ministry is anticipated to present a list of additional projects for Cabinet approval by December.
To streamline land acquisition processes, highway agencies will be permitted to issue 3D notifications only after obtaining Cabinet approval. For the widening of existing highways, the 3D notifications will follow the high-level committee’s finalization of alignments and approvals.
