Why 4-Lane Solapur-Bijapur National Highway-13 Entering Limca Book of Records?

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constructed the 4-lane Solapur-Bijapur section of National Highway-13 in a record time, thereby getting recognition in the 'Limca Book of Records' and the 'Asia Book of Records' for the remarkable feat of laying 26.82 kilometres of bituminous concrete within a remarkable twenty-hour timeframe.

Announcing the news, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, said, "In a significant endeavor, we have developed the 4-lane Solapur-Bijapur section of National Highway-13, which connects the cities of Solapur in Maharashtra and Bijapur in Karnataka. Spanning a length of 109 kilometers, this project encompasses the construction of 4 major bridges, 35 minor bridges, 6 interchanges/flyovers, 2 rail-over bridges, 10 vehicular underpasses, and a 21-kilometer-long Solapur Bypass."

This cutting-edge infrastructure has earned recognition in both the 'Limca Book of Records' and the 'Asia Book of Records' for the remarkable feat of laying 26.82 kilometres of bituminous concrete within a remarkable twenty-hour timeframe. The project not only contributes to the infrastructural development of both states but also significantly reduces travel time and promotes fuel conservation, the minister said on Twitter.

After Gadkari became the Minister of Road Transport & Highways, the NHAI has been constructing highways in a record pace. At this stage, the NHAI is building 40 kilometres of highways per day. However, the minister targets to complete 60 kilometres of highways per day.

It has to be noted that in the preceding years, the ministry successfully completed the construction of 10,237 kilometers in 2019-20, 13,327 kilometers in 2020-21, and 10,457 kilometers in 2021-22.

"Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, we are steadfastly committed to ensuring swift, seamless, and energy-efficient mobility across the nation," Gadkari said. He also shared a few photos of the four laning of Solapur to the Bijapur section of NH-13.