6-lane stretch for Surat-Vadodara

March 14, 2006

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Those driving on the stretch of National Highway no 8 between Surat and Vadodara are in for some good news, though not in the near future.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to convert it to a six-lane road from the existing four-lane road in view of the increasing traffic on this stretch, which makes driving on it a pain in the neck.

This is also one of the busiest road networks in west zone. A Rs 1,050 crore proposal for the six-lane road project prepared by NHAI is awaiting final clearance from the Union surface transport ministry.

Reliable sources in the state roads and buildings department on Tuesday said that the project, to be developed on Build own and Transfer (BoT) basis, is likely to be completed in 18 to 20 months’ time after it is approved by the Central government.

A senior official said that in the proposed expansion, one lane each on both sides of Vadodara-Surat stretch would be added to facilitate smooth and speedy movement of vehicular traffic, the density of which is around 70,000 passenger car units (PCU), by reducing the heavy traffic congestion on this road.

The width of the road would be increased to 11 metres from existing seven metres. He said that once the additional lanes are added, the 150 km distance between Vadodara and Surat would be covered in less than two hours instead of three hours that it takes at present.

Car and truck owners will have to pay toll tax as it is done on other highways developed on BOT basis in the state.