Will Gujarat finally get its coastal express highway?

You will be able to travel from Dwarka to Bhavnagar on an express highway that will run parallel to the Gujarat coast in the near future.

This was indicated by Union cabinet minister for Road Transport and Highways CP Joshi, who said that a proposal has been submitted to him for constructing such a highway on the
Gujarat coast.

Joshi was on a one day visit to Ahmedabad to provide guidance at a training workshop of Congress MLAs on Saturday.

Talking to the media, Joshi said, "We have received a proposal from Dr Tushar Chaudhary for making a coastal express highway, which can connect major places and ports on the Gujarat coast.

The proposal seems very interesting and we will definitely think about it. We will take a decision on the proposal after preparing a detailed project report."

He further said, "Today we had a review meeting of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials working in Gujarat. We have some ongoing projects in the state, so as a minister, I wanted to take account of the work."

Talking about future projects Joshi said, "We have received a proposal for constructing 60,000 km of national highways out of which we will be approving 10,000 kms. Gujarat will also get significant highways."

Dr Tushar Chaudhary, minister of state for road transport and highways, said, "Gujarat has 1600 km coastal area. It is close to other countries and that's why ports have been developed in the state. A proposal has been submitted to the ministry for connecting these ports, with a special coastal express highway.”