The Centre has approved Rs. 9.91 bn for widening a 57.8 km stretch of National Highway 41 (NH 41) between Gandhidham, also known as Kandla, and Mundra in Gujarat to six lanes. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the approval on 15 October 2026.

The highway is a key freight route serving Deendayal Port at Kandla and Mundra Port, two important gateways in India’s trade and logistics network. The section carries more than 55,000 passenger car units (PCUs) of traffic each day, with heavy vehicles accounting for a significant share of movements towards the ports.

The project will include a new flyover, vehicle underpasses, reconstruction of major and minor bridges, and safety improvements at identified accident-prone locations. The widening will be undertaken within the existing right of way, according to the minister’s announcement.

The six-laning is intended to reduce travel time by around 20 per cent and lower logistics costs. The upgraded corridor is also expected to support trade and industrial activity in Kutch district, where Kandla and Mundra ports play a major role in cargo movement and logistics.

Improved road connectivity could strengthen links between port facilities, freight destinations and markets. The highway upgrade forms part of wider efforts to improve freight corridors connecting major ports with inland economic centres and to increase the efficiency of cargo movement across the region.