Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh is moving towards a new phase of metropolitan development, modern infrastructure and high-speed connectivity, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said, highlighting a comprehensive road development plan aimed at connecting cities, towns, industrial areas, religious destinations, tourist centres and economic hubs across the state.
The state government will present the proposal for upgrading the Bhopal-Vidisha road into a four-lane highway for Cabinet approval on August 11. The project, estimated to cost ₹1,757.55 crore, will upgrade the existing 44.83-km two-lane road with paved shoulders.
CM Mohan Yadav said the development of the Bhopal and Ujjain-Indore metropolitan regions is not limited to expanding urban boundaries. It is aimed at connecting surrounding smaller cities, urban bodies and rural areas with better roads, public transport, education, healthcare, investment and employment opportunities.
₹1,757 Crore Bhopal-Vidisha 4-Lane Project
The proposed Bhopal-Vidisha four-lane project will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
Key details of the project include:
- Estimated cost: ₹1,757.55 crore
- Road length: 44.83 km
- Existing road: Two-lane
- Proposed road: Four-lane with paved shoulders
- Starting point: Bhanpur T-Junction at Ayodhya Bypass, Bhopal
- Route: Sukhi Sevania, Diwanganj and Salamatpur
- End point: Sanchi-Salamatpur Junction on NH-146
The road connects the important districts of Bhopal, Raisen and Vidisha.
The current traffic volume on the route is around 10,975 Passenger Car Units (PCUs), exceeding the 10,000 PCU standard considered for a four-lane road.
Considering metropolitan development and expected growth in traffic, the government has identified the four-laning of the route as necessary.
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Three Bypasses Proposed Under the Project
The Bhopal-Vidisha project will also include three bypasses with a combined length of 8.25 km.
- Sukhi Sevania Bypass: 1.80 km
- Berkhedi Bypass: 1.35 km
- Salamatpur Bypass: 5.10 km
The bypasses are expected to reduce traffic pressure in populated areas, lower the risk of road accidents and make local travel safer for residents.
The route will also serve as an important feeder corridor for the Bhopal-Kanpur High-Speed Corridor.
Road Project to Boost Tourism and Regional Connectivity
CM Mohan Yadav said the Bhopal-Vidisha road is important not only for transportation but also for religious, historical and cultural tourism.
Major attractions located around the corridor include:
- Sanchi Stupa
- Sanchi Museum
- Ashoka Pillar
- Udayagiri Caves
- Several archaeological and cultural sites
The road also passes through the Tropic of Cancer at around 24.550 km, giving it geographical significance.
Improved road connectivity between Bhopal, Vidisha and Sanchi is expected to reduce travel time and make tourism more convenient. The government expects better connectivity to benefit hotels, transport services, tourist guides, handicrafts and local businesses.
The project will also connect with a new four-lane road being developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) bypassing Raisen, Sanchi and Vidisha. This will further strengthen connectivity between Bhopal and northeastern Madhya Pradesh, including Sagar, Damoh, Chhatarpur and Panna.
Major Road Projects Underway in Ujjain-Indore Metropolitan Region
CM Mohan Yadav said several major road projects are being developed to improve fast, safe and convenient transportation in the Ujjain-Indore metropolitan region.
These include:
- Indore-Ujjain six-lane road
- Indore-Ujjain Greenfield four-lane road
- Ujjain-Jaora Greenfield four-lane road
- Ujjain-Maksi four-lane widening
- Ujjain Simhastha Bypass
- Harifatak Bridge widening
- Indore Outer Ring Road
The NHAI is developing the Indore Outer Ring Road.
The Ujjain-Nagda four-lane road has already been completed, while approval for the Ujjain-Jhalawar four-lane road is under consideration by the Central Government.
Work is also progressing to connect Ujjain with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway through the Ujjain-Jaora route, providing direct connectivity with major industrial, commercial and economic corridors.
Ring Roads to Reduce Urban Traffic Pressure
The Chief Minister said the Eastern and Western Ring Roads in Indore and bypass projects around Ujjain will help control traffic congestion in metropolitan areas.
Heavy and long-distance vehicles will be able to bypass urban areas instead of entering city limits.
This is expected to:
- Reduce travel time
- Save fuel
- Improve road safety
- Reduce urban congestion
- Make city traffic more organised
Bhopal Metropolitan Region Gets Future-Ready Road Network
The state government is also developing a regional road network for the Bhopal Metropolitan Region, connecting the capital with surrounding towns, industrial areas, educational institutions and economic centres.
Major projects include:
- Bhopal Western Bypass
- Bhopal Eastern Bypass
- Bhopal-Indore Greenfield Expressway
- Bhopal-Vidisha four-lane road
The Bhopal Western Bypass has already received approval, while the approval process for the Bhopal Eastern Bypass is underway.
Once completed, the two bypasses will provide alternative routes for vehicles entering or passing through Bhopal, reducing pressure on the city’s existing roads.
The proposed Bhopal-Indore Greenfield Expressway will establish high-speed and uninterrupted connectivity between two major metropolitan regions.
Improved connectivity between Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain is expected to benefit investors, entrepreneurs, students, tourists and residents while supporting the development of new industrial, commercial and service-sector clusters.
29,693 Km of Roads Built or Upgraded in 2.5 Years
CM Mohan Yadav said road infrastructure development is being accelerated across Madhya Pradesh, beyond the metropolitan regions.
The Public Works Department has completed construction and upgradation of 29,693 km of roads during the last two-and-a-half years.
Under the Hybrid Annuity Model, the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation is working on seven major projects covering 444 km at an estimated cost of ₹18,166 crore.
Major projects include:
- Indore-Ujjain six-lane road
- Indore-Ujjain Greenfield four-lane road
- Ujjain-Jaora Greenfield four-lane road
- Narmadapuram-Timarni road
In addition, nine projects covering 626 km, with an estimated cost of ₹26,890 crore, are at various stages of processing.
These include the Bhopal-Vidisha road, Katni-Damoh road, Eastern Bhopal Bypass, Seoni-Balaghat road, Dewas-Chapda road, Melghat Chauraha-Malthone road, Tilwari-Hardi-Janakpur road and Mandsaur-Sitamau road.
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are also being prepared for 41 future projects covering 1,734 km.
Greenfield Expressways to Cut Travel Time
The state is developing an integrated Greenfield Expressway network under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model to strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s position in expressway connectivity.
In the first phase, DPRs are being prepared for three expressways covering a combined 794 km, with an estimated cost of ₹38,456 crore.
These are:
- Sagar-Satna Expressway
- Bhopal-Mandsaur Expressway
- Jabalpur-Ashapur Expressway
The projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time.
The Sagar-Satna journey, currently taking around 6-7 hours, is expected to take approximately 3-3.5 hours after completion.
Similarly, travel time on the Bhopal-Mandsaur and Jabalpur-Ashapur routes is expected to fall from around 8-9 hours to 5-6 hours.
Four More Expressways Proposed in Phase Two
The second phase proposes four additional Greenfield Expressways covering approximately 926 km:
- Sagar-Jabalpur Expressway — approximately 135 km
- Katni-Singrauli Expressway — approximately 232 km
- Bhopal-Jabalpur Expressway — approximately 239 km
- Bhopal-Gwalior Expressway — approximately 320 km
These projects are expected to save between around 1.5 and nearly 2.75 hours of travel time.
Together, the seven expressways are expected to create faster and safer connections between major cities, industrial areas and economic centres across Madhya Pradesh.
₹88,634 Crore Road Network Master Plan
CM Mohan Yadav said the state is using the PM GatiShakti Portal to prepare a long-term, data-driven road infrastructure plan.
Through GIS-based planning, the government is analysing existing and proposed road infrastructure, connectivity gaps and potential development areas to identify priorities based on actual requirements.
The Road Network Master Plan for 2026-27 to 2030-31 targets the development and upgradation of 1,226 routes covering 29,682 km.
The estimated investment for these works is ₹88,634 crore.
The plan follows the principle of “priority where there is need” and will identify:
- Requirements for new roads
- Upgradation of existing roads
- Critical connectivity gaps
- Routes linked to economic and social activities
CM Mohan Yadav said Madhya Pradesh is developing modern, safe, planned and future-ready infrastructure in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat-2047. He emphasised that road projects are not merely transportation infrastructure but also a foundation for investment, industry, agriculture, tourism, trade, education, healthcare and employment.
The expanding road and expressway network, along with the development of the Ujjain-Indore and Bhopal metropolitan regions, is expected to strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s position as a major investment, tourism, trade and logistics hub.
