Nitin Gadkari Approves Rs 11,000 Crore for Road Projects in Chhattisgarh

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has sanctioned Rs 11,000 crore to bolster road connectivity in Chhattisgarh. This budget will aid in developing four national highways, expected to spur industrial growth. Officials emphasized timely completion during a review meeting with Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister and other state and central officials.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday sanctioned Rs 11,000 crore to enhance road connectivity in Chhattisgarh. This substantial investment will aid in the development of four major national highways aimed at transforming the state's transport infrastructure and promoting industrial growth, according to an official press release.

Gadkari made the announcement during a review meeting with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in New Delhi. The meeting, held at Bharat Mandapam, reviewed ongoing National Highway projects in Chhattisgarh. Attendees included Union Ministers of State for Road Transport Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, as well as Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, as per the release.

During the meeting, Gadkari stressed the need to address project delays, directing the Forest Department to expedite clearances and resolve pending issues. He urged for the timely completion of all ongoing and proposed projects. The review included the Urga-Katghora bypass (NH-149B), Basna to Sarangarh (Manikpur) feeder route, Sarangarh to Raigarh feeder route, and Raipur-Lakhanadon economic corridor projects, with a total budget of Rs 9208 crore for 236.1 km.

Additionally, eight projects valued at Rs 908 crore have been approved under the Central Road Fund. Approvals were given for the four-lane widening of Keshkal Ghat and Dhamtari-Jagdalpur road. Gadkari also instructed the completion of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam road and Bilaspur-Urga-Pathalgaon road within stipulated timelines. For the Pathalgaon to Kunkuri-Jharkhand Border road, an agency must be determined within a month.

Approval was also granted for constructing grade separators between Tatibandh and Telibandha in Raipur, and on the road connecting Vidhansabha Road to Bilaspur Road (Dhaneli) and Raipur Expressway. An additional Rs 1200 crore has been approved for further road development.

High-ranking officials, including Chief Minister's Secretary P Dayanand, Public Works Department Secretary Dr Kamalpreet Singh, and Forest Department Secretary Amarnath Prasad, attended the meeting. Expressing gratitude, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the funding represents a significant boost for Chhattisgarh's development, enhancing rural connectivity and benefiting local communities. Sai committed to regular reviews and pledged to monitor project progress closely to ensure timely completion.

(With inputs from agencies.)