New highway works are planned for India – image courtesy of © Raja Rc, Dreamstime.com
Major new highways works are being planned for India, including the construction of an innovative electric highway.
Installing infrastructure for electric vehicles for a highway project connecting capital Delhi with Jaipur in Rajasthan is intended to reduce transport emissions and improve transport efficiency between the cities. The aim is for trucks and buses to be able to use electric power rather than requiring diesel engines when travelling along the route. Full details have yet to be revealed but the information released so far suggests that overhead lines could supply the power with the trucks and buses using pantographs on the roof as on locomotives and trams. An international firm is discussing the project with India’s Road Transport and Highways Ministry.
Work is currently ongoing for the highway linking Delhi with Mumbai. This will feature four lanes in either direction. The route will connect Delhi with Gujarat, as well as Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Haryana. Costing up to US$13.2 billion, the project is due for completion in March 2023 and will help reduce journey times between the various cities along the route. One important feature of the expressway will be links with the Noida International Airport and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
In addition, a contract has been awarded for a stretch of the new expressway connecting Bangalore and Chennai. The expressway will feature two lanes in either direction. Dilip Buildcon will construct the section between Bangarupalem and Gudipala with the work costing $142.6 million. The contract was awarded by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
