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The Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway, spanning 1,257 km, will traverse the Thar Desert and be India’s second-longest road. Expected to open by December, it will cut travel time from 26 to 12-13 hours
This expressway will pass through the Thar Desert, the world’s second-largest desert, where for approximately 650 kilometres, one will see only sand on both sides. (AI Generated)
Numerous highways and expressways are being constructed across the country. Among them is one particularly challenging expressway that will traverse some of the most difficult terrains. This expressway will pass through the Thar Desert, the world’s second-largest desert, where for approximately 650 kilometres, one will see only sand on both sides. This expressway is also set to be the second-longest road in the country.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed most of the work, and it is expected to commence operation by December this year. The route in question is part of the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway, which connects Punjab to Gujarat, establishing an industrial corridor between the two cities.
Challenging Route Through Rajasthan
This expressway is being constructed in three sections, with the largest segment passing through Rajasthan, cutting through the Thar Desert. Thus, it can be said that the NHAI is building an expressway through the desert. The Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway spans a total length of 1,257 km and is designed to have 6 to 8 lanes.
In Rajasthan, it enters from Sangaria town in Hanumangarh district and passes through Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Barmer, before concluding near Sanchore town in Jalore district. A stretch of about 655 km in Rajasthan covers most of the desert terrain. This route passes through 5 out of the 12 districts with the most desert areas in Rajasthan.
Significance Of The Expressway
Currently, travelling from Amritsar in Punjab to Jamnagar in Gujarat takes about 26 hours, but upon completion of this expressway, the journey will be reduced to just 12 to 13 hours. Presently, it takes up to 12 hours to cross the Rajasthan section alone; however, the entire route can be completed in 12 hours once the expressway is operational.
In addition to Rajasthan, this expressway will also traverse several districts in Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
Proximity To The Pakistan Border
The Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway is being constructed close to the Pakistan border. This expressway will not only enhance connectivity between these two industrial cities but will also facilitate easier travel from Gujarat to Kashmir.
The expressway will connect to the Delhi-Katra Expressway, which runs near Amritsar, thereby providing direct road connectivity from Gujarat to Katra via Amritsar and onwards to Kashmir. The construction of this expressway will cost approximately Rs 80,000 crore.
- Location :
Rajasthan, India, India