Four-lane Banihal bypass opens in J&K’s Ramban

Context: Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday described
the completion of the Banihal bypass which has a stretch of 2.35 km in Jammu
and Kashmir’s Ramban district as a milestone in strengthening “national
security logistics” and enhancing “tourism prospects of the region”. NH-44 is a
major highway in India. The longest in the country, it stretches from Srinagar
in the north to Kanniyakumari in the south. The Travel time on the 290-km long
Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, which is part of NH-44, has reduced from nine
hours to around six hours after significant upgrades such as tunnels.

Key points

·       Overview: 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.

·       High-Speed
Road Corridor Projects: These projects, spanning a total length of 936 kilometres,
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.

·       Other
Approved Projects: Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor - Length:
88 km, Cost: ₹4,613 crore. This fully access-controlled 6-lane corridor will
enhance connectivity between Agra and Gwalior, supplementing the existing
4-lane National Highway.

Northern
Guwahati Bypass and Widening/Improvement of Existing Guwahati Bypass - Length: 121 km,
Cost: ₹5,729 crore. This project includes the construction of a major bridge
over the Brahmaputra River and will improve connectivity in Assam.

Ayodhya Ring
Road - Length: 68 km, Cost: ₹3,935 crore. This access-controlled ring road is
designed to alleviate congestion in Ayodhya, particularly around National
Highways passing through the city.

·       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.