The Cabinet has given its approval to four laning of the Solapur-Bijapur section of the new NH-52 (formerly NH-13) in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The work will involve development of four laning of about 110 km. The project will entail an estimated investment of Rs 1,889 crore which includes cost of land acquisition and pre-construction activities.

The existing two lane road passes through the congested towns of Solapur, Takli and Nandani in Maharashtra, and Zalki, Horti and Bijapur in Karnataka. The road will serve as an alternative route to the north south corridor of the National Highways Development Programme.

The four lane of this road will be developed with bypasses at Solapur and Bijapur, and construction of six flyovers will reduce travel time and vehicle operating costs.

On both sides of the section there will be provision of service roads in 14 km of the project stretch, and slip roads in about 40 km. It will also have bus shelters at 24 locations.

The project will have potential to generate employment for 4,48,360 mandays to be generated locally during the construction period.