The Ahmedabad–Dholera Greenfield Expressway (NE-8), stretching 109.019 km, is no longer just a road under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It has become a lifeline, which is connecting villages to cities, families to time, and aspirations to opportunities.

Passing through Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar districts, the expressway provides seamless connectivity to the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) and the existing coastal highway, redefining how people live, travel, and dream in this region. Built at a total project cost of ₹5,800 crore, the expressway represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the region.

At present, the expressway has been opened to the public for testing purposes, allowing commuters to experience faster and smoother travel while final operational readiness is assessed.

For frequent travellers like Narendra Singh Chudasma, who regularly journeys between Gandhinagar and Bhavnagar, the expressway has brought a priceless change.

“Earlier, the journey used to take 3.5 to 4 hours. Now I reach within 2.30 to 2.45 hours. Because of long hours on the road earlier, I couldn’t give enough time to my family. Now, the 2 to 2.5 hours I save are spent with them.”

The expressway is also unlocking Dholera’s economic potential. Yaduraj Singh Chudasma believes connectivity has removed the biggest hesitation investors once had.

“With the opening of this expressway, investors can travel easily and save time. Reaching Dholera from Ahmedabad now takes just 45 minutes, which is extremely important. Investors are happy and increasingly eager to invest in Dholera. This highway has removed the connectivity gap that once existed.”

For Harshdeep Singh Chudasma, a resident of Pipli village, the expressway has transformed how his family relates to the city.

“Two years ago, we felt that we lived very far from Ahmedabad as Ahmedabad was almost 120 to 130 kilometres away. But ever since this expressway was built, it feels like we live in Ahmedabad itself. Today, reaching Ahmedabad takes just 45 minutes, compared to two and a half hours earlier.”

Building Infrastructure, Protecting the Environment

A defining aspect of the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway is its environment-first construction approach, proving that large infrastructure can grow responsibly.

• 60 lakh metric tonnes of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation waste reused in embankment construction
• 22 lakh metric tonnes of fly ash utilised, reducing industrial waste and carbon impact
• Massive green initiative with over:
o 2,70,675 plants in the median
o 1,56,097 avenue plantations

Key Features of the Expressway            

• 30-metre wide median designed for future expansion to 8 lanes
• Direct connectivity to Dholera International Airport via interchange at Ch. 67
• Planned Semi High-Speed Rail corridor running parallel (30 m ROW already acquired)
• Closed tolling system for seamless travel
• 2 modern Way-Side Amenities
• Extensive structures including: 3 ROBs, 11 interchanges, 14 flyovers, 86 underpasses, 224 culverts, and more

Transforming Travel, Economy and Everyday Life

The expressway has drastically reduced travel distances and times:

• Ahmedabad to Dholera: from 100 km & 2 hr 15 min → 83 km & 45 min
• Ahmedabad to Bhavnagar: from 169 km & 3 hr 15 min → 141 km & 1 hr 45 min

It brings families closer, saves time, attracts opportunity, and builds a greener future—one journey at a time.

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GDH/HJ

(Release ID: 2233516) Visitor Counter : 296