The Union government approved a budget of Rs 110 billion to enhance road connectivity in Chhattisgarh, according to a state government official. The approval was granted by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari during a review meeting with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in New Delhi, as stated in a press release by the state government.
The funds will be allocated to develop four major national highways, which are expected to transform the state's transportation infrastructure and boost industrial growth, according to the release.
The preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for additional projects was also approved by Gadkari.
During the meeting, the Union Minister reviewed the progress of ongoing national highway projects in Chhattisgarh and emphasized the importance of resolving issues that were causing delays, the government reported.
Gadkari instructed the Forest Department to expedite clearances and resolve pending matters, urging for the timely completion of all ongoing and proposed projects, as per the release.
The four projects discussed in the meeting include the Urga-Katghora bypass (NH-149B), the Basna to Sarangarh (Manikpur) feeder route, the Sarangarh to Raigarh feeder route, and the Raipur-Lakhanadon economic corridor.
These projects, spanning a total of 236.1 km, were approved with a budget of Rs 92.08 billion. Additionally, eight projects worth Rs 9.08 billion were sanctioned under the Central Road Fund during the Gadkari-Sai meeting.
An extra Rs 12 billion was approved for the development of various other roads, according to the state government.
The four-lane widening of the Keshkal Ghat in Kondagaon district and the Dhamtari-Jagdalpur road was also approved, it was noted.
Gadkari also directed that the Raipur-Visakhapatnam road and the Bilaspur-Urga-Pathalgaon road under the NHAI be completed within the stipulated timeline, the release added.