New Delhi, Jul 12 (IANS): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved the four-laning of Solapur-Bijapur section of the new National Highway-52 in Maharastra and Karnataka.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,889 crore, including the price for land acquisition.

Runing from Sangrur in Punjab to Ankola in Karnataka, the existing road is two lanes and passes through congested towns of Solapur, Takli and Nandani in Maharashtra and Zalki, Horti and Bijapur in Karnataka.

"It connects southern India with northern India and its development will serve as an alternative route to North-South Corridor of the National Highways Development Programme," said an official statement.

The development of four lanes with bypasses at Solapur, Bijapur and construction of six flyovers would greatly reduce travel time and vehicle operating costs as well as help in expediting the improvement of infrastructure in Maharashtra and Karnataka states, it said.

"This road is part of the high-density traffic corridor Banglore-Chitradurga-Bijapur-Solapur-Aurangabad-Dhule-lndore-Gwalior," the statement noted and added that the provision for two by-passes will ensure decongestion of the urban areas of Solapur and Bijapur.

According to the government, the project would also increase employment potential for local labourers from the project activities.

"It has been estimated that a total number of 4,076 man-days are required for construction of one kilometre of highway. As such, employment potential of 4,48,360 (approx.) man-days will be generated locally during the construction period of this stretch. Consequent self-employment due to improved traffic conditions would be in addition to the above," said the statement.