In a major boost to Chhattisgarh’s infrastructure, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari approved Rs 11,000 crore for the development of key roads in State on Monday. Four major national highways will be developed with this funding, further enhancing Chhattisgarh’s connectivity. The announcement was made during a review meeting held in New Delhi between Gadkari and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The review meeting, chaired by Gadkari at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, saw the participation of CM Sai, Union Ministers of State for Road Transport Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, and Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao. The discussion focused on the progress of National Highway projects currently underway in the state. Various delays in the projects, including clearance issues, revenue, and mining concerns from the Forest Department, were addressed. The meeting also resulted in the approval of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for four major highways. These include the Urga-Katghora bypass (NH-149B), Basna to Sarangarh (Manikpur) feeder route, Sarangarh to Raigarh feeder route, and the Raipur-Lakhanadon Economic Corridor.

 

Together, these projects cover 236.1 km, with a total sanctioned amount of Rs 9,208 crore. Additionally, eight works worth Rs 908 crore were approved under the Central Road Fund to improve the road infrastructure further. Several key road projects were discussed, including the four-lane widening of Keshkal Ghat and Dhamtari-Jagdalpur road, which received approval. The Raipur-Visakhapatnam road and Bilaspur-Urga-Pathalgaon road, managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), were also directed to be completed within the time limit. Another project involving the Pathalgaon to Kunkuri-Jharkhand Border road is set to have its executing agency finalized within a month, aimed at strengthening connectivity in the border area. Among the major projects discussed were the Urga-Korba Katghora Ring Road (42.1 km) at an estimated cost of Rs 1,593 crore, Basna to Sarangarh (33 km) at Rs 490 crore, Sarangarh to Raigarh (56 km) at Rs 825 crore, and the Raipur-Lakhanadon Economic Corridor (105 km) at Rs 6,300 crore. CM Sai expressed his gratitude to Gadkari, calling the approval a significant step for the state’s development. He noted that the expansion of the road network would not only promote industrial and business activities but also enhance connectivity in rural areas, bringing positive changes to the lives of local residents. Sai further assured that the Chhattisgarh government is committed to completing these projects on time. He also mentioned that he would personally monitor the progress of the projects and would call for weekly reports to ensure there are no delays.

 

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Secretary to the Chief Minister, P Dayanand, Secretary of the Public Works Department, Kamalpreet Singh, Secretary of the Forest Department, Amarnath Prasad, and officials from the Public Works, Revenue, Mining, and Forest departments. The collective efforts will ensure the timely completion of these projects, providing better infrastructure and accelerating development across State. 

 

 

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari chaired a review meeting in New Delhi with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao to discuss ongoing transport projects in State. The meeting highlighted the progress of initiatives under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and underscored the need for continued support from the Centre. CM Sai highlighted the operational status of one Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) in Raipur, with two more currently under construction, which are expected to be operational within the next month. “The RVSF centres are crucial to managing the increasing number of end-of-life vehicles, and their operational status has been commendable,” Sai stated. The meeting also addressed the Automated Testing Stations (ATS), with Chhattisgarh currently operating eight ATS centres, seven of which are fully functional.

 

“These ATS centres are vital for ensuring vehicle safety and compliance, and we are eager to enhance their capabilities,” Chief Minister Sai noted, urging the Centre to provide additional resources for their expansion. Transport Commissioner Sethu Prakash (IAS) stated, “The collaborative efforts between the state and the Centre will significantly enhance our transport infrastructure.” CM also highlighted the urgent need for financial support, demanding the release of the pending Rs 40 crore necessary for completing the infrastructure development of two under-construction RVSF centres and enhancing ATS capabilities. His proactive approach aims to ensure all projects are completed on time, contributing to the state’s overall transport development. Additionally, the establishment of Driving Training Centres in all districts was discussed.

 

The introduction of e-detection technologies for real-time monitoring of traffic violations was also highlighted, utilising toll data to ensure compliance with road safety regulations. In concluding remarks, CM Sai expressed gratitude for the Union Ministry’s support, stating, “The initiatives we are undertaking are crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh’s transport framework. Continued collaboration with the Centre will ensure we meet our deadlines and enhance road safety for all citizens.” The discussions reaffirmed the commitment to advancing Chhattisgarh’s transport initiatives, with Chief Minister Sai at the forefront, driving the conversation towards further central support and collaboration. Additional Transport Commissioner D Ravishankar also attended the meeting, providing insights into the ongoing projects and facilitating discussions around the state’s transport initiatives.