New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS): Theunion cabinet Tuesday approved the development of a national highway between between Gadu and Dwarka in Gujarat at an estimated cost of Rs.1,756.36 crore.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, gave green signal for the development of the road project on National Highway-8E.

Out of the proposed 209.89 km of the highway, 119.7 km will be four-laned and 90.19 km will be two-laned with paved shoulders.

The cost is estimated to be Rs.1,756.36 crore, including the cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities,” according to an official statement released after the cabinet meeting here.

“The project will expedite improvement of infrastructure in Gujarat and also reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly heavy traffic, plying between Gadu and Dwarka,” it said.

This road stretch links a number of sea ports on the western coast of India apart from coastal places like Dwarka, Porbandar and Somnath.

Development of this stretch will also help in uplifting the socio-economic condition of this region. It will also increase employment potential for local labourers for project activities, the statement said.