From Chenab Bridge to Dwarka E-Way, from Atal Setu to the Biggest Infra Projects That Will Revolutionize India
A new era of connectedness and economic prosperity is expected to be ushered in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious infrastructure project in India. As the country approaches the 2024 elections, dozens of disruptive projects are on the edge of completion, promising to revolutionize the landscape of transportation, trade, and urban growth.
The top 15 infrastructure projects scheduled for completion in 2024 are shown below.
Strategic Connectivity: The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
The 21.6 km long Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, an engineering wonder that connects Mumbai with mainland Navi Mumbai, was officially opened by Prime Minister Modi on January 12. Travel time between the two areas is expected to be revolutionized with this project, which was developed by the MMRDA at an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which connects Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, has the potential to revolutionize regional connections and foster economic growth. Beginning at Sewri, South Mumbai, and ending at Chirle, close to Nhava Sheva, the six-lane bridge is anticipated to promote real estate development, reduce traffic congestion, and facilitate the easier movement of products and services.
AGRA METRO: IMPROVING LINKAGE WITH THE TAJ MAHAL
The opening of a 6-kilometer section of the Agra Metro that connects important locations, such as the Taj Mahal, is a significant step toward reducing traffic and improving passenger convenience. The project, which is being developed by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), consists of two corridors: Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar and Sikandara to Taj East Gate. When this Metro network is finished, major tourist sites, bus stops, and train stations will all be easily connected to one another around the city.
The Agra Metro has the potential to improve historical and cultural tourism. It increases tourism by offering easy access to the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, and other historical sites. In order to guarantee socioeconomic advantages, the Agra Metro is planned as a model for environmentally friendly and sustainable urban transportation, including local people in the development and implementation of projects.
Mumbai Coast Road
An innovative infrastructure project called the Mumbai Coastal Road aims to improve connectivity along the gorgeous shoreline of the city. This ambitious road, which spans around 29.2 km, intends to shorten travel times, ease traffic, and provide a convenient and picturesque path beside the Arabian Sea.
The Mumbai Coastal Road, which provides a different path that runs parallel to the current road networks, is anticipated to greatly reduce traffic congestion. The project intends to shorten commuter travel times by implementing well-thought-out interchanges and creating a dedicated coastal route, therefore improving the efficiency and streamlining of transportation. Besides its practical advantages, the route offers a gorgeous drive along the Arabian Sea, adding to the overall connectedness of the city.
The road’s layout connects important parts of Mumbai, making a number of communities more accessible. By including green areas, promenades, and picturesque overlooks, it gives the urban infrastructure a leisure component. In addition to prioritizing eco-friendly design principles and integrating intelligent traffic management technologies for overall efficiency and safety, the Mumbai Coastal Road is also built with sustainable and intelligent features.
Water Line 3 of Mumbai Metro: Subterranean Communication
Mumbai’s Metro Network’s 33.5-kilometer Aqua Line 3 is planned to provide subterranean connection along the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ route. It is anticipated to operate in 2024, cost around Rs 33,000 crore, and provide daily service to over 16 lakh passengers.
Modern signaling systems are integrated into Aqua Line 3, a joint venture between the governments of Maharashtra and India, to ensure safe and effective Metro operations. The initiative intends to ease traffic congestion by giving a dependable and speedy option for everyday commuters, contributing to the city’s overall urban growth.
CHENAB BRIDGE
With a length of 13,115 meters and a height of 359 meters, the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to become the tallest rail bridge in the world. The completion of this vital link in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail project in 2022 would be a significant step towards improving connectivity in the area.
The Chenab Bridge is built to last 120 years and is engineered to resist winds of up to 260 kmph. It has completed all required testing, which includes exposure to strong winds, harsh temperatures, earthquakes, and hydrological effects. Green building techniques and worldwide standards-compliant sustainability measures are put into operation.
The DWARKA Expressway
The Dwarka Expressway, which is being built by Larsen & Toubro and J Kumar Infraprojects together, is scheduled to open as the first completely access-controlled eight-lane elevated roadway in India. This project tackles traffic congestion and provides seamless connection across a distance of 29.10 km, from Mahipalpur (Shiv Murti) in Delhi to Kherki Dhaula via New Gurgaon (Gurugram) in Haryana.
The Dwarka Expressway is deliberately planned to link significant development areas, improving accessibility and cutting down on commuting times. It is integrated with Delhi’s Master Plan 2021. With more than 20 flyovers and bridges, 11 car underpasses, and a plethora of pedestrian amenities, the project both supports and facilitates future urban growth.
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a major economic engine.
The 1,350-kilometer Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a strategic initiative designed to shorten the distance between two important economic hubs. Partially opened, this controlled-access highway includes greenfield areas for integrated logistics and storage centers and allows for the efficient transit of commodities.
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which has 52 development packages and is divided into four parts, is intended to increase commerce by providing companies with quicker and more affordable transportation. Launched in March 2019, the project aims to reduce travel time from 24 to 12 hours between Delhi and Mumbai and promote economic growth along its path.
AVIATION HUB: NAVI MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Adani Airports Holdings Ltd.’s greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport is anticipated to improve capacity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2024, with a Phase 1 capacity of 20 million passengers annually.
In order to meet the rising demand for air travel, the first phase of Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to accommodate 20 million people annually. It strengthens Mumbai’s position as a significant aviation hub and promotes regional economic activity. Phases two and three are slated to raise the overall capacity to 60 million passengers annually and are positioned to enhance the current transportation networks.
International Airport of NoIDA: Worldwide Cooperation
Noida International Airport is expected to open for business by the October–December quarter of 2024 and is run by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd, a Zurich Airport International AG affiliate. With 70 million people able to pass through, it wants to be the biggest airport in Asia.
The Zurich Airport International AG-run Noida International Airport is expected to introduce Swiss efficiency to Indian aviation. The project is being completed in stages; 12 million passengers can be accommodated in Phase 1, and by the conclusion of Phase 4, that number may potentially reach 70 million. The application of international best practices in airport administration and passenger experience is ensured by collaboration with Swiss professionals.
A dedicated freight corridor in the west
The Indian Railways is developing a railway infrastructure project that spans Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. This project is called the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). Its goal is to provide a smooth connection between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Maharashtra and Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.
The WDFC, a designated freight corridor, improves economic activity, expedites cargo travel, and improves logistics. The corridor, which has 938 km of operational track and the remaining alignment planned for completion, provides freight trains with a dedicated route, promoting economic expansion and the development of industrial corridors.
The WDFC has the potential to promote industrial growth, establish new economic corridors, and link the northern hinterland to western ports, particularly JNPT in Maharashtra. It passes through important industrial and economic cities, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat. By keeping freight and passenger trains apart, the corridor hopes to improve operational effectiveness, cut down on delays, and protect the environment.
Road CHAR DHAM ALL-WEATHER
The goal of the national government’s Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna project is to upgrade Uttarakhand’s current highway infrastructure. The project include building and renovating the route that links Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—the four “Dhams.” The 12,000-crore dream project would transform Uttarakhand’s 1100 km of damaged highways into year-round roads, enhancing the state’s tourism-related businesses and economy.
By making holy places more accessible, this well-planned road system promotes tourism and regional growth. The INR 12,000 crore project, which is broken up into seven packages, improves travel efficiency overall, lowers traffic accidents, and boosts the economy. It improves border security between China and India, reduces migration, and generates new employment.
TUNNEL SELA
An enormous construction project, the Sela Tunnel is an all-weather road tunnel that is well situated amid the untamed regions of Arunachal Pradesh. This technical wonder, which stretches around 13.5 kilometers, attempts to link the Tawang area with the rest of Arunachal Pradesh and the nation.
The Sela Tunnel overcomes the difficulties caused by severe weather and a lot of snowfall to provide connection throughout the year. The tunnel is very crucial for national security, even beyond its civilian use, since it improves defense troops’ movement in strategically important border regions. By making it easier for people and commodities to move about, the tunnel boosts Arunachal Pradesh’s economy by promoting trade, tourism, and business.
Furthermore, by connecting the Tawang region—which is renowned for its rich cultural and religious legacy—with the rest of the nation, the tunnel fosters cultural unification. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in bolstering diplomatic relations and promoting bilateral commerce between Bhutan and India.
CHANGING CONNECTIVITY FROM NAGPUR TO MUMBAI: SAMRUDDHI MAHAMARG
Officially known as the “Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg,” the Samruddhi Mahamarg project is a massive 701-kilometer highway that connects Mumbai and Nagpur via the Thane area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first of the project’s two stages in December 2022, covering a significant 520 km route from Nagpur to the holy temple town of Shirdi in the Ahmednagar region. The region’s increased connection and transport infrastructure were made possible by this phase.
In May 2023, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated an 80-kilometer route between Shirdi and Bharvir village in Igatpuri taluka in Nashik district, extending the operational length to 600 km. The project is managed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), and Phase-III is now under development. It stretches 101 km from Igatpuri to Vadpe in Thane.
This phase has covered over 80 km, and by July 2024 it should be completely operational, providing a smooth link between Igatpuri and Mumbai. The Samruddhi Mahamarg project, which promises to revolutionize regional connections and spur economic growth along its path, is a monument to Maharashtra’s dedication to infrastructure development.
MARITIME GROWTH CATALYST: RAMAYAPATNAM, BHAVANAPADU, KAKINADA GATEWAY PORT, AND MACHILIPATNAM
The Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB) has announced that the state of Andhra Pradesh is actively building four new ports along its 974 km coastline, with an estimated investment of Rs. 120 billion. By the end of 2024, the board expects all four ports—Bhavanpadu, Kakinada Gateway, Machilipatnam, and Ramayapatnam—to be completed, which would significantly boost the state’s economic development.
According to Ravindranath Reddy, the deputy chief executive officer of the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board, Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu, Kakinada Gateway Port, and Machilipatnam should all be operational by the end of 2024. This project highlights the state’s dedication to rapid infrastructure development; the almost completed Ramayapatnam Port first phase serves as an example of the proactive strategy.
The ports of Ramayapatnam and Machlipatnam are well-positioned to assume a leading role in both local and national marine commerce, in keeping with the government’s goal of swiftly constructing new infrastructure and boosting the economy. Andhra Pradesh will have seven functioning ports when it is all said and done.
The Jiribam-IMPHAL RAILWAY PROJECT AND THE NONEY BRIDGE: JOINING EXCELLENCE TO NORTHEAST INDIA
The Jiribam – Imphal new line railway project is almost finished, which is a huge milestone for Northeast India. Indian Railways is actively assisting in the development of the area. At 141 meters, when it is finished, the engineering wonder known as the Noney Bridge will hold the title of highest railway pier bridge in the world. With continuous train connection, it overcomes geographical barriers, showcasing human creativity and technical prowess.
The finished Noney Bridge and the Jiribam-Imphal Railway line have the potential to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth in Manipur and the neighboring areas. It is anticipated that effective rail transportation would reduce expenses, increase commerce, draw in investments, provide employment, and enhance regional economy.
With increased connection, commerce, tourism, and interpersonal encounters, this initiative is essential to the integration of the Northeastern states with the rest of the nation. The Jiribam – Imphal railway project calls for the building of 11 major bridges and 137 minor bridges in addition to a total of 61.32 km of tunnels.
