The 54th Network Planning Group (NPG) has recommended four infrastructure projects to be developed at a combined cost of Rs 7, 693.17 crore. The four-lane Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (ORR), under Bharatmala Pariyojana, in Kerala worth Rs 4,767.20 crore is among the projects that have been recommended. Another road project, Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi Corridor, with a project outlay of Rs 1,179.33 crore, has also got the NPG’s nod endorsement.
Other two projects that have been approved are new broad gauge railway lines, in Rajasthan, between Pushkar – Merta (Rs 799.64 crores), and Merta City – Ras Railway Stations (Rs 947 crores).
An official statement said the proposed Pushkar – Merta line will provide direct connectivity from Central India to Northern India as well as to Western border. “It will decongest and reduce pressure on Highways,” the statement said. The line between Merta City-Ras Railway stations is aimed at facilitating quicker movement of goods and promoting industrial and overall development in the region encompassing Pali and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan.
A four-lane Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road (ORR), under Bharatmala Pariyojana, in Kerala, is part of the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor. “The project is essential to provide smooth and faster connectivity to Eastern Region from Northern Region…The project will reduce travel time, save vehicle operation cost, and will provide last-mile connectivity to the new international sea port in Vizhinjam,” the statement said.
The Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi Corridor project starts at the junction of the new Vadodara-Delhi Expressway and ends at post Mumbai-Vadodara expressway. “It forms an important connectivity with Bodeli, Devaliya, Rajpipla, Netrang, Vyara, Dharampur, Vapi and further Southwards to Mumbai via Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway under implementation,” the statement added.