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Gujarat Approves ₹3,400 Cr for 5,700 Km Rural Roads with 10-Year Maintenance

The Gujarat government has sanctioned over ₹3,400 crore to resurface 5,700 kilometers of non-plan rural roads across 33 districts. A key reform introduces Output and Performance Based Contracts, tying contractor payments to road quality and mandating maintenance for up to a decade. This shift aims to extend road lifespan through preventive maintenance and includes responsibilities for shoulders, drainage, and signage. The new model emphasizes digital monitoring for transparency and is expected to reduce long-term costs and improve road safety.

Key Points: Gujarat's ₹3,400 Cr Rural Road Upgrade & 10-Year Maintenance Plan

  • ₹3,400+ crore investment
  • 5,700 km of rural roads
  • 10-year performance contracts
  • Digital monitoring for transparency
  • Focus on road safety and lifespan
3 min read

Gujarat approves Rs 3,400 cr rural road upgrade, introduces 10-year maintenance contracts

Gujarat approves ₹3,400+ crore to resurface 5,700 km of rural roads, introducing 10-year performance-based maintenance contracts for better quality.

"Contractors will now be paid based on the quality of roads rather than the quantity of work executed. - Minister Jitu Vaghani"

Gandhinagar, April 1

The Gujarat government, on Wednesday, approved more than Rs 3,400 crore for resurfacing 5,700 km of rural roads and introduced a performance-based contracting system that will require contractors to maintain roads for up to 10 years, as part of efforts to strengthen the state's road network and improve safety.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, continuing what the government described as the development approach initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

State Minister Jitu Vaghani said the approval covers improvement of non-plan roads connecting villages across the state.

"In the coming period, resurfacing of a total of 5,700 km of non-planned roads will be undertaken at a cost exceeding Rs 3,400 crore. Under this, 2,342 works across 33 districts of the state have been approved," he added.

He said that the programme would cover around 67 per cent of the state's non-plan roads.

"Connectivity in rural outskirts and remote habitations will especially improve, making travel safer, faster and more convenient for citizens," Minister Vaghani added.

He said that roads completing eight years of service would also be included in the programme in the coming year.

The state government has also approved a shift in maintenance practices through the adoption of Output and Performance Based Contracts (OPRC) and Performance Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC).

"Works worth more than Rs 25 crore will be executed under OPRC, with a 10-year contract period comprising two years of construction and eight years of maintenance," Minister Vaghani said.

He also added, "Works ranging from Rs two crore to Rs 25 crore will be carried out under PBMC, which will have a seven-year contract period, including one year of surface improvement and six years of maintenance."

Explaining the change in approach, Minister Vaghani said payments would no longer be linked to the volume of work.

"Contractors will now be paid based on the quality of roads rather than the quantity of work executed," he added.

He noted, "Along with the asphalt surface, maintenance of side shoulders, drainage, road furniture such as signboards, markings and stones will also be the contractor's responsibility."

Minister Vaghani said the adoption of scientific methods and preventive maintenance would increase the lifespan of roads and reduce the need for frequent repairs.

"Digital monitoring and performance indicators will bring greater transparency and accountability," he added.

According to the state government, the measures are expected to reduce long-term life-cycle costs, protect infrastructure investment and improve road safety through pothole-free surfaces and proper signage, which could also help lower road accidents.

Officials said the revised framework would also apply to works for which tenders have not yet been issued, ensuring wider implementation of the new maintenance model.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Rs 3,400 crore is a huge investment. While the intent is good, I hope there is strict digital monitoring as promised. We've seen big announcements before, but the money doesn't always reach the ground level. Transparency is key. The focus on remote habitations is very much needed.
A
Aman W
Connecting villages with good roads is the backbone of rural development. Farmers can get produce to market faster, students can reach schools safely, and ambulances won't get stuck. The maintenance part is crucial. Bahut accha kadam hai!
S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently to rural Gujarat for work, this is welcome news. The current state of many non-plan roads is terrible and increases travel time significantly. A 10-year maintenance contract sounds ambitious, but if executed well, it will make a massive difference in safety and efficiency.
K
Karthik V
I appreciate the shift to performance-based contracts. For too long, contractors have done shoddy work because they were paid for volume, not quality. Making them responsible for drainage and signboards too is a smart move. Hope other states learn from Gujarat's model.
M
Michael C
The scale is impressive - 5,700 km of roads. The focus on lifecycle costs and preventive maintenance shows long-term thinking. Reducing road accidents through better signage and pothole-free surfaces is a critical public health benefit. Good policy.

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