Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate two sections of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and lay the foundation stone for four National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects in Surat on June 5, coinciding with ‘World Environment Day’. The projects aim to enhance connectivity in South Gujarat, boost freight movement, and support economic activities in tribal, industrial, and coastal regions. Modi will inaugurate the Kim–Ena section (Package VI) and the Gandeva–Ena section (Package VII) of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway during his visit.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 7,689 crore, these sections are part of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway corridor and feature major and minor bridges, flyovers, and underpasses to facilitate local connectivity. The eight-lane expressway is expected to improve regional transport links, enabling faster movement of both passengers and freight traffic. Additionally, seven rest areas are planned along the sections to enhance safety and convenience for road users.
During the visit, Modi will also lay the foundation stone for four highway projects worth Rs 4,732 crore. These projects include the four-laning of the Dhamasiya-Bitada/Movi section of National Highway 56, the four-laning of the Nasarpor-Malotha section of NH-56, a six-lane vehicular underpass near Reliance on the Surat-Hazira stretch of National Highway 53, and a vehicular underpass-cum-flyover at Kavas. The NH-56 upgradation project is expected to enhance connectivity to the Statue of Unity and tribal districts like Narmada, Tapi, Valsad, and Chhota Udepur.
The corridor spanning 107.67 km is projected to reduce travel time by up to 40 minutes and increase average travel speeds by about 75%. It will connect farmers, industries, trade routes, pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing clusters, fishing and seafood clusters, tribal regions, and logistics nodes, including an airport, two railway stations, and two ports. The projects aim to bolster maritime trade, industrial activity, road safety, and reduce congestion for commuters in Surat.
