Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, on Tuesday approved a series of major proposals covering infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, forest conservation, women’s empowerment and public welfare.
Among the key decisions, the Cabinet approved ₹1,757.55 crore for upgrading the 44.830-km Bhopal-Vidisha road into a four-lane road with paved shoulders. The project is aimed at strengthening connectivity and supporting the development of Bhopal as a metropolitan city.
The Cabinet also approved ₹47,990 crore for various development and public welfare proposals, including ₹44,515.13 crore for health services, ₹918 crore for the Joint Forest Management benefit-sharing scheme and ₹795.59 crore for the continued operation of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University.
₹1,757.55 Crore Approved for Bhopal-Vidisha Four-Lane Road
The Cabinet approved ₹1,757 crore and ₹55 lakh for the construction of the 44.830-km Bhopal-Vidisha road as a four-lane road with paved shoulders.
The project will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) based on the Model Concession Agreement prepared by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The road will start from the Bhanpur T-Junction of the Ayodhya Bypass and end at the Sanchi-Salamatpur Junction on National Highway-146.
The route will pass through:
- Bhanpur
- Chopdakalan
- Sukhi Sewania
- Dob
- Balampur
- Diwanganj
- Salamatpur
The road will connect Bhopal and Vidisha districts and is expected to boost industrial investment and infrastructure development in the region.
The route is also important from tourism and geographical perspectives. Sanchi Stupa, one of India’s prominent Buddhist heritage sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located along the broader corridor. The Tropic of Cancer also crosses the Bhopal-Vidisha route at kilometre 24.550.
Under the HAM arrangement, 40% of the total project construction cost, including GST, will be borne by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation from the State Highway Fund during project implementation.
The remaining 60% will be paid through semi-annual annuities over 15 years during the operation period through the state budget.
An additional ₹364.41 crore will be provided through the state budget for pre-construction activities, including land acquisition and other works, along with supervision charges.
Read also: Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav Reviews Moong Procurement, Orders Strict Action Against Irregularities
Bhopal Bypass Toll Collection Extended Until 2031
The Cabinet approved the continuation of user fee collection on the 51.963-km Bhopal Bypass four-lane road from July 19, 2026, to December 31, 2031.
The decision has been taken in view of the proposed expansion of the Bhopal Bypass from four lanes to six lanes.
The Public Works Department has also been authorised to extend the user fee collection period by another five years.
The toll collection will be carried out by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited or an agency selected by the corporation.
The Bhopal Bypass connects Bhopal with Indore, Raisen, Vidisha and Narmadapuram districts. It helps reduce traffic pressure in Bhopal city and provides smoother connectivity to commuters.
The collected toll revenue will be deposited into the State Highway Fund, which is used for the development and maintenance of state roads and other related works.
₹918 Crore Approved for Joint Forest Management Committees
The Cabinet approved ₹918 crore for continuing the benefit-sharing scheme for Joint Forest Management Committees from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The scheme aims to increase public participation in the conservation and development of forests.
Under the existing provisions:
- 20% of the revenue from the sale of timber obtained through final felling is provided to Joint Forest Management Committees.
- 100% of the net profit from bamboo harvesting is provided to workers involved in harvesting operations.
Under the extended scheme, residents of areas associated with the committees will also receive benefits along with workers.
The government said the initiative will encourage greater participation of local communities in forest conservation and development.
₹47,990 Crore Approved for Development and Welfare Schemes
The Cabinet approved proposals worth ₹47,990 crore for overall development, public health, infrastructure expansion and women’s empowerment in Madhya Pradesh.
A major part of the allocation has been earmarked for healthcare services.
The Cabinet approved ₹44,515.13 crore for the continued operation of various health services from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.
The allocation covers the National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, disease control programmes, security and sanitation at health institutions and district-level staff-related schemes.
₹28,083.47 Crore for National Health Mission
The Cabinet approved ₹28,083.47 crore for the National Health Mission (NHM).
The NHM is implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme in a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and the state.
The programme covers several major health initiatives, including:
- Maternal and child health
- Family welfare
- Immunisation
- Tuberculosis elimination
- Child health and nutrition
- Sickle cell programmes
- Adolescent health
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
- Non-communicable disease programmes
- Blindness prevention
- Leprosy elimination
- Pradhan Mantri Dialysis Services
- Free medicines and diagnostic services
The funding will support the continued operation of these health programmes across the state.
₹12,123.81 Crore for Ayushman Bharat
The Cabinet approved ₹12,123.81 crore for the operation of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat for non-SECC beneficiaries.
The scheme provides financial protection to economically weaker sections for treatment of serious illnesses.
The allocation is aimed at reducing financial hardship caused by medical expenses and providing cashless treatment through government and empanelled private hospitals.
The Cabinet also approved:
- ₹1,159.58 crore for security and sanitation arrangements at health institutions.
- ₹654.84 crore for the district-level staff scheme.
₹795.59 Crore for Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University
The Cabinet approved ₹795.59 crore for the continued operation of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The funds will cover salaries, allowances, honorariums, pensions and other administrative and contingency expenses under the block grant scheme.
The university currently operates:
- 11 colleges
- 8 research centres
These institutions conduct agricultural education, research and agricultural extension activities.
The state government also meets financial obligations related to employees and around 500 old-pension beneficiaries through the block grant.
20 Hectares Allocated for National Soybean Research Institute
In a major decision for soybean farmers, the Cabinet approved the allocation of 20 hectares of land on a permanent lease in Bhaukhedi village of Ichhawar tehsil in Sehore district for the National Soybean Research Institute.
The institute comes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
The institute works in soybean research and development and is expected to benefit the country’s nearly 50 lakh soybean farmers directly or indirectly.
The allotted land will be used specifically for establishing an Agricultural Science Centre.
The government expects the centre to support the comprehensive development of soybean cultivation in Madhya Pradesh.
Rani Durgavati, Rani Avanti Bai Award Prize Money Increased
The Cabinet approved an increase in the prize money of two state-level awards for women.
The Rani Durgavati State-Level Award will now carry prize money of ₹2 lakh.
The prize money for the Rani Avanti Bai State-Level Bravery Award has also been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
The Rani Durgavati Award recognises women who provide social service despite difficult circumstances.
The initiative aims to recognise women who have faced severe economic, social or personal challenges, including:
- Women with more than 40% disability
- Single women
- Women suffering from serious illnesses
- Acid attack survivors
- Women affected by dowry-related issues
- Women affected by domestic violence
- Women working for society despite adverse circumstances
The government said the awards will encourage more women to participate in social service, particularly in areas concerning women and children.
The Women and Child Development Department currently provides six awards, including the Rani Avanti Bai State-Level Bravery Award, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Social Service Award, Shri Vishnu Kumar Women and Child Welfare Social Service Award, Chief Minister Nari Samman Raksha Award, Aruna Shanbaug Bravery Award and Rashtramata Padmavati Award.
₹2.50 Crore for Maintenance of Mineral Resources Department Assets
The Cabinet approved ₹2.50 crore for the continued operation of the scheme for maintenance of departmental assets under the Mineral Resources Department from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The department has 54 mineral buildings across Madhya Pradesh. Many of these buildings are more than 10 years old and require regular repair and maintenance.
The approved funds will be used for the continued maintenance and repair of these properties.
Judicial Inquiry Approved for Dewas Firecracker Factory Accident
The Cabinet approved the constitution of a single-member judicial inquiry commission to investigate the fire accident at a firecracker factory in Tokankala, Dewas district, on May 14, 2026.
The commission is headed by retired High Court of Jabalpur judge Justice Subhash Kakde.
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the commission’s tenure by three months, up to August 14, 2026.
The inquiry will examine the circumstances and issues related to the accident.
MPPSC Annual Reports to Be Tabled in Assembly
The Cabinet approved the proposal to table the 63rd, 64th and 68th annual reports of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) in the state Legislative Assembly.
The reports will be presented along with memoranda concerning cases in which the recommendations or advice of the commission were not accepted.
Read also: CM Mohan Yadav Reviews MP Rainfall Situation, Orders Districts to Stay Prepared Amid 15% Deficit
