Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav emphasized on the need to prioritize road development and ensure that the state does not fall behind in this sector. He called for strong coordination with the central government to upgrade roads, especially high-traffic routes, to national highway standards.
Stressing the importance of seamless communication, he said that timely approvals and swift execution of highway projects should be ensured. He was addressing officials from the Public Works Department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) during a review meeting of ongoing national highway projects at Samatva Bhawan of CM House on Monday.
He directed that all ongoing national highway projects be completed within the stipulated time frame while maintaining full quality and performance standards.
Chief Minister said that the pending cases of land acquisition related to highway projects should be resolved soon through mutual dialogue. In box: Gadkari to visit Badnawar on April 10 It was informed by NHAI officials that on April 10, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will visit Badnawar in Dhar district.
Here he will inaugurate 218 km long national highway projects constructed by NHAI in a village. Their total cost is Rs 3502 crore. Similarly, the Union Minister will also perform the Bhoomi Pujan of 110 km long national highway projects to be constructed by NHAI on this occasion. The cost of all these construction works is Rs 2330 crore.
CM to request Gadkari for approval of 7 proposed NH projects
During the meeting, NHAI officials informed the Chief Minister that seven new national highway projects in Madhya Pradesh are currently in the pipeline with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and proposals have been submitted for approval. Responding to this, CM said he would personally request Gadkari to approve and develop these crucial routes as national highways.
Among the proposed projects, the construction of the Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla four-lane road (80 km, estimated cost Rs. 1,500 crore), the East Indore Bypass (77 km, Rs. 3,500 crore), and the Ujjain–Jhalawar four-lane road (134 km, Rs. 2,200 crore) were highlighted as especially important. These roads are expected to significantly benefit preparations for the Simhastha event to be held in Ujjain in 2028.
Other proposed projects include the widening of the Misrod to Obedullaganj section of NH-46 to six lanes (19.32 km, Rs. 280 crore), the upgradation of NH-719 from Gwalior–Bhind to the MP/UP border to four lanes with paved shoulders (96 km, Rs. 3,125 crore), and the four-lane development of the Satna–Chitrakoot section of NH-135BG (80 km, Rs. 1,500 crore).Additionally, a 200 km Greenfield Expressway from Lakhnadon to Raipur (estimated cost Rs. 5,985 crore) is proposed, with an alignment option passing through the tribal regions of Balaghat and Lanji tehsils being prioritized.
These projects are currently awaiting approval due to pending land acquisition and forest clearance issues.
Development committees to be formed in all municipal corporations: CM
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said that development committees will be formed in all municipal corporations across the state. These committees will include professionals such as doctors, engineers, city planners, professors, lecturers, and teachers, who will collectively contribute to the development of their respective cities. He stated that a provision for forming these development committees has already been included in the current budget. The Chief Minister was addressing the Mayors of 12 Municipal Corporations of the state at his residence on Monday. Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai and Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava were among those present at the programme.
