CM 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. Dr. Yadav 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, the Chief Minister’s residence, on Monday. He directed that all ongoing national highway projects be completed within the stipulated timeframe while maintaining full quality and performance standards.
CM Mohan Yadav said that the pending cases of land acquisition related to highway projects should be resolved soon through mutual dialogue. It was told in the meeting that in the last financial year 2024-25, Madhya Pradesh has been ranked first in the whole country in terms of getting four-lane national highway approved. This is one of the major gifts given to Madhya Pradesh by the Central Government.
CM Mohan Yadav reviewed the current status and progress of national highway projects in the state and sought detailed information on the ongoing works. During the review, he suggested the construction of an elevated road near the Baba Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, which would directly connect to the railway station. He noted that this proposed road would significantly improve traffic management for the large number of devotees visiting the temple from across the country and abroad.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Gadkari will visit Badnawar on April 10
In the meeting,CM Mohan Yadav was informed by NHAI officials that on April 10, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Shri Nitin Jairam 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.
Chief Minister will request Union Minister Shri Gadkari for approval of 7 proposed national highway projects of the state
During the meeting, NHAI officials informed CM Mohan Yadav 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, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said he would personally request Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin 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.
In the meeting, Public Works Minister Shri Rakesh Singh informed that a total of 9664 km of national highways are available in Madhya Pradesh. Out of this, 5428 km of national highways are under NHAI. The maintenance of the remaining 4236 km long national highways is being done by the Public Works Department (3990 km) and M.P. Road Development Corporation (846 km). In the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has approved Rs 3935 crore for the construction of national highways in the state. Under the action plan of the last financial year, proposals of Rs 3412 crore for 8 new works are under process for approval in the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He said that we are in constant touch with the Central Government to increase the road network in the state and very soon new national highways are going to be approved in the state.
Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary in Chief Minister’s Office Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary Public Works Shri Neeraj Mandloi, M.P. Road Development Corporation MD Shri Bharat Yadav, senior officials of NHAI and other officials were present in the meeting.