TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: In a major move aimed at enhancing India’s infrastructure, the government has given the green light to eight national high-speed road corridor projects.
EXPLANATION:
- These projects, spanning a total length of 936 kilometers, involve an investment of ₹50,655 crore.
- The initiative is expected to significantly improve logistics efficiency and connectivity across the country, as well as generate substantial employment opportunities.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved these projects, which are set to play a crucial role in India’s economic growth and infrastructure development.
Employment Generation and Economic Impact
- The implementation of these eight high-speed road corridor projects is projected to create approximately 4.42 crore mandays of direct and indirect employment.
- This massive employment boost is not only crucial for job creation but also for stimulating local economies.
- The infrastructure development is expected to have a multiplier effect on the economy, with every rupee invested expected to generate a return of about 2.5 to 3.0 times on GDP.
- This investment in infrastructure is seen as foundational for the country’s economic prosperity and essential for improving the quality of life of its citizens.
Detailed Breakdown of Approved Projects
- Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor:
- Length: 88 km
- Cost: ₹4,613 crore
- Mode: Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
- This fully access-controlled 6-lane corridor will enhance connectivity between Agra and Gwalior, supplementing the existing 4-lane National Highway.
- The project is expected to double traffic capacity and significantly reduce travel time by 50%, thus lowering logistics costs.
- The corridor will also improve access to key tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor:
- Length: 231 km
- Cost: ₹10,247 crore
- Mode: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
- The project will expand the existing 2-lane National Highway into a 4-lane corridor, increasing traffic capacity by five times.
- It will enhance connectivity between West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and the North-Eastern states, facilitating smoother and more efficient transportation.
- Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad National High-Speed Corridor:
- Length: 214 km
- Cost: ₹10,534 crore
- Mode: Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
- This corridor will connect key National Corridors in Gujarat, namely the Amritsar-Jamnagar Corridor and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
- It will provide seamless connectivity for freight vehicles from industrial regions in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to major ports in Maharashtra, enhancing logistical efficiency.
- Ayodhya Ring Road:
- Length: 68 km
- Cost: ₹3,935 crore
- Mode: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
- This access-controlled ring road is designed to alleviate congestion in Ayodhya, particularly around National Highways passing through the city.
- It will enable faster movement of pilgrims visiting the Ram Mandir, reducing traffic and travel time.
- Pathalgaon-Gumla Section of Raipur-Ranchi National High-Speed Corridor:
- Length: 137 km
- Cost: ₹4,473 crore
- Mode: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
- This section of the corridor will improve connectivity between mining areas and industrial zones across Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
- It will facilitate better transportation of goods between the regions, boosting industrial activities.
- Kanpur Ring Road:
- Length: 47 km
- Cost: ₹3,298 crore
- Mode: Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC)
- The Kanpur Ring Road will complete a 6-lane National Highway ring around the city, reducing traffic congestion and improving the overall transportation network within Kanpur.
- Northern Guwahati Bypass and Widening/Improvement of Existing Guwahati Bypass:
- Length: 121 km
- Cost: ₹5,729 crore
- Mode: Build-Operate-Toll (BOT)
- This project includes the construction of a major bridge over the Brahmaputra River and will improve connectivity in Assam.
- It is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and facilitating smoother movement of goods and people in the region.
- Nashik Phata-Khed Corridor near Pune:
- Length: 30 km
- Cost: ₹7,827 crore
- Mode: Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
- This elevated corridor will provide high-speed connectivity for traffic between industrial centers in Chakan and Bhosari.
- It is expected to alleviate congestion around Pimpri-Chinchwad, improving the overall transportation network in the Pune region.
Strategic Importance of the Corridor-Based Approach
- The government has adopted a corridor-based approach to highway infrastructure development, focusing on consistent standards, user convenience, and logistics efficiency.
- This is a shift from the previous project-based development approach, which primarily addressed local congestion.
- The new approach has led to the identification of a 50,000 km network of High-Speed Highway Corridors, aimed at supporting India’s transformation into a $30+ trillion economy by 2047.
- This strategic shift is expected to create a more integrated and efficient transportation network across the country, facilitating economic growth and regional development.