Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new four lane extradosed bridge across Narmada river at Bharauch, Gujarat recently. This bridge will bring a major relief to people travelling between Vadodara-Surat through NH-8.

At the ceremony, PM also announced the conversion of eight state highways to national highways which will be undertaken by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways was also present at the occasion.

The cable styled bridge has been complted in 34 months at a cost of Rs 380 crores. The 1.4 km bridge is the longest in the country. The bridge is 20.8 metres wide, with 14.5 metre carriageway and 3 metre footpath.  It is supported on nine pylons of 36 meter height on pile foundation of 1.5 metre  diameter. 400 LED lights will lit the bridge.

The National Highways Authority of India is also undertaking the project for six laning of Ahmedabad-Mumbai section of NH-8 (total length of 6.745 Km between km.192.00 to km.198.745.) in Baruch district. This section of NH 8 will have state of the art Highway Traffic Management System (HTMS), Variable Message Sign Boards, Median Plantation, Traffic Aid Post, Medical Aid Post, RFID and Smart Card Swapping enabled infrastructure at the Toll Plaza and Theme Lighting on the main bridge.

At the event, development works worth Rs two lakh crore were also announced for Gujarat.