New Delhi, 10 March (H.S.): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the four-laning of the Badnawar-Petlawad-Thandla-Timarwani section on NH-752D in Madhya Pradesh today. This 80.45 km Hybrid Annuity Mode project, costing ₹3,839.42 crore, will forge seamless connectivity from Ujjain to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (DME) interchange at Timarwani.

Strategic Connectivity Boost

The upgrade transforms the existing intermediate-lane stretch (poor geometry, 20-50 kmph speeds) into a high-speed 80-100 kmph corridor, slashing travel time by about one hour. With the Ujjain-Badnawar segment already four-laned (70.40 km), this completes direct access for Gujarat and Maharashtra traffic to Ujjain—the shortest route vital for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela surge.

Tribal and Economic Uplift

Spanning tribal belts in Dhar and Jhabua districts (including NITI Aayog's Aspirational Blocks), the project cuts logistics costs, speeds raw materials and goods to hubs like Indore, Pithampur, Ujjain, and Dewas. It enhances safety, reduces congestion, and drives regional growth through better infrastructure.

Project Specifications

Length: 80.45 km (greenfield + brownfield)

Pavement: Flexible, 4-lane configurationStructures: 6 major bridges, 34 minor bridges, 1 RUB, 9 VUPs/29 LVUPs/4 SVUPs

Timeline: 24 months construction; 17-year concession (2 years build + 15 years O&M)

This initiative promises efficient traffic flow, lower operating costs, and accelerated development in Madhya Pradesh's underserved areas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar