News Brief
New Entry–Exit Point Near Ankleshwar Approved On Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway
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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has cleared a new entry and exit point on the Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway (VME), linking it with National Highway 64 Dandi Path at Punagam village near Ankleshwar.
The decision came on 6 October during a site visit by NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, fulfilling a long-pending demand from commuters and local authorities.
NHAI said the move would ease traffic flow towards NH-48, improve direct access from Dahej Port, and strengthen links to key industrial hubs, including Ankleshwar, Panoli, and Jhagadia.
Local intervention proved crucial in pushing the proposal forward. Ankleshwar MLA Ishwarsinh Patel, who had written to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, confirmed that his request has been acceded by the ministry.
With the new link, travellers heading from Bharuch to Surat will be able to exit the expressway at Punagam and connect to the Ankleshwar–Hansot–Olpad State Highway, continuing onwards to Surat.
Vehicles heading in the opposite direction will be able to use the same route in reverse.
The Ankleshwar–Surat section of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway is set to open by December 2025, marking a crucial milestone in the 1,380 km corridor, 413 km of which runs through Gujarat, Bhaskar reported.
The Vadodara–Bharuch stretch is already operational, while the Kim–Ena section near Surat was opened to traffic recently.
Once fully functional, the Vadodara–Surat section will offer uninterrupted expressway connectivity and significantly reduce congestion in Bharuch city.
A proposal is also under consideration to widen the Hansot–Ankleshwar–Sahol route into a four-lane road. The stretch, which links to the historic Dandi route, could further improve access for residents and industries in the region.
