Gadkari to inaugurate and perform Bhoomi Poojan of 8 National Highway projects worth ₹4,400 crore

Road development in Madhya Pradesh to get new momentum: CM Dr. Yadav

Bhopal, Jan 2026 : Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that January 17 will be a landmark day for Madhya Pradesh, bringing gifts of major developmental initiatives. On this day, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate and perform Bhoomi Poojan of eight National Highway projects worth over ₹4,400 crore at a programme in Vidisha district. The Chief Minister said that these projects, spanning a total length of 181 km, will significantly strengthen road connectivity across Central India and the Bundelkhand region, marking a historic milestone in the development of the state’s road and transport infrastructure.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said the projects will accelerate regional development, industrial expansion, ease of travel, and economic growth. Along with these highway projects, foundation stones will also be laid for three modern Driving Training Centres aimed at enhancing road safety and ensuring the availability of skilled and trained drivers. These centres will play a significant role in reducing road accidents, promoting safe driving practices, and providing employment-oriented training to youth.

Better Connectivity, Reduced Travel Time and Safer Roads

Upon completion, these projects will ensure smoother traffic flow on key industrial, agricultural, and tourism routes, including Bhopal–Vidisha–Sagar–Rahatgarh–Biaora. Four-lane widening will result in a substantial reduction in travel time, fuel savings, lower pollution levels, and enhanced road safety. Black-spot rectification measures, underpasses, and geometric improvements have been incorporated at several locations to minimise accident risks.

Driving Training Centres: A Strong Foundation for Road Safety

Under the initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), three Driving Training Centres proposed in Vidisha and Sagar districts will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Developed under the IDTR and RDTC models, these centres will promote safe, disciplined and responsible driving. Foundation stones for all three centres will also be laid during the program.

Projects to be Inaugurated

1. Four-Laning of Abdulaganj–Itarsi Section (Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary Area)

• Length: 12 km
• Cost: ₹418 crore

A crucial part of the Obedullaganj–Itarsi–Betul corridor, this project will improve connectivity up to Nagpur via Betul. Earlier, a two-lane bottleneck caused severe traffic congestion; the upgraded four-lane stretch will save 15–30 minutes of travel time, reduce fuel consumption, and lower pollution. Special provisions such as animal underpasses and sound-proof corridors have been made to ensure safe movement of wildlife, including tigers, and to reduce human–wildlife conflict.

2. Construction of Dehgaon–Bamhori Road

• Length: 27 km
• Cost: ₹60 crore

Constructed under CRIF, this road connects the Raisen district to Sagar via the Batera–Silwani–Sagar route. It will facilitate faster and safer transport of agricultural produce, improve access to markets, and strengthen connectivity to education, health, and emergency services, thereby boosting regional socio-economic activities.

Bhoomi Poojan to be performed

1. Four-Laning of Bhopal–Vidisha Section

• Length: 42 km
• Cost: ₹1,041 crore

A key segment of the Bhopal–Kanpur corridor, this project will upgrade the existing road to high-capacity National Highway standards. It will enhance inter-district and inter-state traffic flow and improve connectivity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sanchi, promoting tourism, trade, and regional development.

2. Four-Laning of Vidisha–Gyaraspur Section

• Length: 29 km
• Cost: ₹543 crore

This project will significantly reduce travel time between Vidisha and the surrounding areas. Road widening and geometric improvements will enhance safety and driving comfort, improve access to heritage sites such as Sanchi, and support the transportation of high-quality wheat and other agricultural produce from Vidisha district.

3. Four-Laning of Gyaraspur–Rahatgarh Section

• Length: 36 km
• Cost: ₹903 crore

The project will strengthen both regional and long-distance connectivity, reduce travel time, improve road safety, and facilitate smoother freight movement, thereby boosting trade, logistics, tourism, and regional economic growth.

4. Four-Laning of Rahatgarh–Berkhedi Section

• Length: 10 km
• Cost: ₹731 crore

This project will enhance road capacity for national and inter-state traffic. The widening will ensure smoother traffic flow, reduce accident risks, and promote trade, agricultural transportation, and regional economic activities.

5. Four-Lane Construction of Sagar Western Bypass (Greenfield)

• Length: 20.2 km
• Cost: ₹688 crore

Proposed to directly connect NH-146 with NH-44, this bypass will divert traffic away from Sagar city, reducing travel time by nearly 70%. The project will significantly improve logistics efficiency, reduce urban congestion, save fuel, lower transport costs and boost regional trade and economic activities.

6. Construction of 5 Underpasses (LVUP/VUP) on Bhopal–Biaora Section

• Length: 5 km
• Cost: ₹122 crore

Developed under black-spot improvement works, these underpasses will help reduce road accidents by ensuring safe and uninterrupted movement between highways and local roads. The project will strengthen rural–urban connectivity and promote trade, agriculture, and social activities.

These projects collectively mark a transformative step toward modern, safe, and efficient road infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh, reinforcing the state’s role as a growth engine for Central India.