Turning Struggles into Strength: The Human Impact of Raipur-Vizag Corridor

The upcoming Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor feels like a long-awaited answer for the many people whose livelihoods depend on the route between these two cities. The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor, being developed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, stretches across the forests of Chhattisgarh, mineral-rich landscapes of Odisha and hills of Andhra Pradesh. The corridor is being built at a total cost of Rs 16, 482 crore and is expected to be completed by December 2026. It is set to cut down the distance from 597 km with the existing NH-26 to 465 km — saving 132 km in distance and nearly seven hours of travel time. This will generate major fuel savings, reduced transportation costs for public and freight operators.

What once took 12 hours will soon just take just 5 hours and will open the gates to faster logistics and seamless connectivity under the PM Gati Shakti vision. Industries in Chhattisgarh and Odisha too will get a major boost as they will directly be linked to the Visakhapatnam Port and the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway. This would mean improved connectivity to ports and industrial hubs, quicker exports, smoother supply chains and a powerful push for trade, leading to a huge boost for logistics efficiency. The corridor will also promote tourism and stimulate economic growth through job creation and real estate development.

Quick Facts

• The 6-lane Greenfield Corridor links Chhattisgarh, Odisha & Andhra Pradesh
• It’s a 465-kilometre-long National Highway
• Will help save 7 hours & 132 Kms of distance
• To be open to the public in FY 2026-27
• Faster access for tribal & remote regions

For truckers who spend nights away from home, farmers who anxiously wait for their produce to reach markets and families seeking avenues of new opportunities, this corridor feels like a path towards a more hopeful future. Vishal, a lorry owner who regularly sends goods from Raipur to Visakhapatnam, says the new corridor will drastically change the way transporters operate. “Earlier, the journey took one-and-a-half days. Now, I can start during the day and reach the destination by night,” he says. The reduction in distance, he explains, will directly translate into lower diesel consumption and less wear and tear on trucks, bringing tangible financial relief to operators like him.

Farmers are also experiencing a clear shift in their economic outlook. One farmer explains how land prices have surged ever since the greenfield highway project began. “Our land was valued at around ₹15 lakh per acre earlier. Now it is close to ₹1.5 crore. Farmers here are genuinely happy,” he says, pointing to how connectivity-led development is reshaping rural prospects.

A local resident in Vizianagaram shared an honest reflection on how the project has affected their community. “We are farmers. At first, we felt sad to give our land for the greenfield highway. It was not easy. But now, as the corridor is getting ready, we feel hopeful. Our land value has more than doubled, and we know this development will bring more opportunities for our families. What we lost is now turning into a better future,” he says. Srinivasulu, another farmer living in Jami village of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh shares his own experience. “I have given 1.10 acres of land for the greenfield highway, for which I have got fair compensation. Further, the land value of remaining land has significantly increased. Villagers and farmers of village are feeling happy about this upcoming greenfield highway,” he says.

Beyond economic benefits, the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Corridor will significantly improve mobility for tribal and remote districts such as Dhamtari, Keshkal, Kanker (Chhattisgarh), Borigumma, Nabarangpur, Koraput (Odisha), and Ramabhadrapuram, Araku (Andhra Pradesh). By bringing these regions closer to major markets and essential services, the corridor aims to integrate them more effectively into the mainstream economy. The new access-controlled, 6-lane Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor will also ease congestion on the old 2-lane NH-26, improving travel comfort and road safety. Designed for speeds of 100 km/hr, it promises greater predictability, reliability and cost-efficiency for both passengers and freight operators.

Built through 15 planned packages across three states, the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor stands as a testament to MoRTH’s commitment to developing infrastructure that transforms lives. As the project nears completion, it reflects the Ministry’s vision of building highways that not only connect places but connect possibilities for millions.