Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway also known as Mahatma Gandhi Expressway or National Expressway 1. The Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway is an important transport route between two cities in Gujarat. The 93-km-long route has reduced the journey from Ahmedabad to Vadodara to less than an hour and has two exit points, Anand and Nadiad. Continue reading the article for more information about the Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway.
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway Overview
- Length: 93.1 km
- Lanes: 2
- Cost: Rs. 475 crore
- Starting Point: Naroda Road, Ahmedabad
- Ending Point: NH-64, Vadodara
- Completion Date: 16 August 2004
About Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway
The Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Expressway, and National Expressway 1, connects the cities of Ahmedabad and Vadodara in the Indian state of Gujarat. The 93.1 km (57.8 mi) expressway reduces travel between the two cities from two and a half hours to one hour. It was designated as National Expressway 1 in 1986.
The expressway has two lanes. The expressway was inaugurated in 2004. There are two exit loops at Anand and Nadiad. In 2009, the National Highways Authority of India announced plans to upgrade the expressway to six lanes. Driving any two-wheeler on the expressway is prohibited.
The then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated the expressway, which was built at a cost of ₹475 crore. The Gujarat government sought the expressway extension to Mumbai from the Government of India in 2009. In 2011, IRB Infra won the bid to build the expressway, charging tolls and upgrading the service lanes from four to six lanes.
In 2013 IRB Infra announced that it was upgrading a section of the national highway connecting Ahmedabad and Vadodara and, as part of the deal, it would only charge toll once construction was complete. The work of upgrading the expressway to six lanes would cost ₹3,300 crore.
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway is a part of the Golden Quadrilateral project, which connects Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat. This expressway was inaugurated in 2004 by former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway Route
Currently, the Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway has four lanes. It starts from Naroda Road in Ahmedabad and connects to National Highway 64 in Vadodara. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway was built first, but the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Thruway is officially called “National Expressway 1” because it is the first road construction project awarded by NHAI. The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project passing through Gujarat will also connect to it.
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway Toll Rates
| Toll Rate for Vehicle Category | Ahmedabad to Vadodara | Nadiad to Vadodara | Nadiad to Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad to Anand | Anand to Vadodara |
| Car/Jeep/Van | Rs 125 | Rs 75 | Rs 55 | Rs 75 | Rs 55 |
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway Project
The Expressway, built at a cost of Rs 475 crore, was completed in 2003 and opened to the public in 2004. In 2009, the Gujarat government approached the central government seeking an extension of the expressway to Mumbai. The extension work was approved and a contract worth Rs 3,300 crore was awarded to an infrastructure development firm. Nothing has been done on the ground yet.
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway Features
There are 9 underpasses, 4 major bridges, 20 minor bridges, and 15 flyovers on the Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway. Anand (30 km from Vadodara) and Nadiad (40 km from Vadodara) are the two exits on the Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway. Driving two-wheelers is prohibited on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway.
Conclusion
The Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway, which facilitated the movement of trade and goods between two major industrial hubs of Gujarat, paved way for several additional industries and corporate houses. This has subsequently led to the development of residential areas and the city, thereby increasing the value of land. Since the launch of the project, the value of many areas around Gota, Shela and Chandkheda in Ahmedabad and Channi, Ajwa Road and Kalali in Vadodara has increased by around 30-40 per cent.
Projects like the Tharad-Ahmedabad Expressway and the Delhi Mumbai Expressway emphasize connectivity. These new schemes will develop the state by increasing investment possibilities in the state.
