The Government of India is set to launch Rs79.15bn ($1.46bn) road projects in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Haryana, under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP).

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given approval for the four road schemes to be constructed under phases III, IV and V under a build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis.

In Gujarat, the cabinet has given approval for the construction of the 259.98km-long Bhavnagar-Veraval section of National Highway-8E, worth Rs33.38bn ($614.82m), under NHDP Phase IV. This section is a vital corridor of the coastal region of the state.

The CCEA also approved Rs16.91bn ($311.63m) programme for implementation of the project of Chakeri-Allahabad stretch of National Highway-2 (NH-2) in Uttar Pradesh under NHDP Phase V. It is a part of the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) between Delhi and Kolkata.

"The new road projects are expected to speed up the improvement of infrastructure in the four states."

In Maharashtra, a project for the construction of the Khed-Sinnar section of National Highway-50 (NH-50), worth Rs15.74bn ($289.67m), under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase IV, has been approved.

NH-50 is a connection between NH-3 in Maharashtra and will be proving a feeder service to Golden Quadrilateral 4 at Pune city.

In Haryana, the project under NHDP Phase III includes four laning of the Rohtak-Hissar section of National Highway-10 (NH-10), worth Rs13.1bn ($241.4m).

The new road projects are expected to speed up the improvement of infrastructure in the four states, while reducing the time and cost of travel for traffic along the sections, as well as uplifting the socio-economic conditions.