New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS): The union cabinet Thursday approved four highway development projects, worth Rs.8,639.14 crore, spanning several states, an official statement said.

The projects would be carried out on the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis in the build, operate and transfer (BOT) toll collection mode.

The cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) approved the six-laning of Chakeri-Allahabad section of National Highway (NH)- 2 in Uttar Pradesh under the national highway development project (NHDP phase V).

"The cost is estimated to be Rs. 1,999.85 crore including the cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction," the statement said.

The total length of the project will be 145 kms.

The six laning of the Baleshwar-Chandikhole section of NH- 5 in Odisha, under NHDP phase-V, was also approved.

The statement said that the project cost is estimated to be Rs.2,296.82 crore. The total length of the project will be 137 kms.

The third project approved by CCEA entails six laning of the Handia-Varanasi section of NH- 2 in Uttar Pradesh under NHDP phase-V.

The total project cost is estimated at be Rs.2,378.59 crore. The total length of the project will be 72.4 km.

Also approved was four to six laning of the Raipur-Bilaspur section of
NH- 30 in Chhattisgarh, under NHDP phase-IV.

The statement added that the total cost of the project is estimated at Rs.1,963.88 crore and that the total length of the road will be 127 km.