New Delhi, August 2: After the Union Cabinet approved the development of eight access-controlled national highway projects with a total length of 936 km, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that it will have a multiplier effect on the country's economic growth and boost employment opportunities.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "TRANSFORMATIVE boost to India's infrastructure landscape! The Cabinet's approval of eight National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects at an expenditure of over Rs 50,000 crore will have a MULTIPLIER EFFECT on our economic GROWTH and boost EMPLOYMENT opportunities. It also underlines our commitment to a futuristic and connected India." These eight highway projects would cost Rs 50,655 crore, the government said. Union Cabinet, Approves 8 Major Highway Projects Including Ring Road in Ayodhya; Total Cost Pegged at INR 50,655 Crore.

The government said it will ensure land acquisition needs are least. As far as possible, the projects will be aligned brownfield, Union Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a press briefing. The government believes implementation of these eight projects will generate an estimated 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment.

The eight projects are 6-Lane Agra-Gwalior highway, 4-Lane Kharagpur - Moregram, 6-Lane Tharad - Deesa - Mehsana - Ahmedabad, 6-Lane Tharad - Deesa - Mehsana - Ahmedabad, 4-Lane Section between Pathalgaon and Gumla of Raipur-Ranchi, 6-Lane Kanpur Ring Road, 4-Lane Northern Guwahati Bypass and Widening/Improvement of Existing Guwahati Bypass, and 8-Lane Elevated Nashik Phata - Khed Corridor near Pune.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also extended wishes on the Guwahati ring road project, approved by the Union Cabinet. "Excellent news. As the Union Cabinet approves the Rs 5,729 cr Guwahati Ring Road Project; Assam places on record its deepest appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari ji for this transformative effort, he said. India to Make a Green National Highway Project of 781 Kms in Collaboration with World Bank.

In Guwahati, the gateway to northeast India, a 121-km ring road will be developed at a total capital cost of Rs 5,729 Crore in three sections -- 4-lane Access-Controlled Northern Guwahati Bypass (56 km), widening of the existing 4-lane bypass on NH 27 to 6 lanes (8 km), and improvement of the existing bypass on NH 27 (58 km).

A major bridge over river Brahmaputra will also be constructed as a part of the project. The Guwahati Ring Road will provide seamless connectivity to long-distance traffic plying on National Highway 27 (the East-West Corridor). The Ring Road will ease congestion on major National Highways around Guwahati, connecting major cities or towns in the region - Siliguri, Silchar, Shillong, Jorhat, Tezpur, Jogigopha, and Barpeta.