New Delhi, 03 June (H.S.):

The Central Government has approved several key national highway projects in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Bihar to strengthen road connectivity, improve coastal access, and accelerate regional economic development. The projects, collectively valued at nearly ₹24,000 crore, are expected to ease traffic movement and provide a significant boost to industrial and tourism activities.

The approvals were granted on Wednesday by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decisions at the National Media Centre.

Vaishnaw stated that in Madhya Pradesh, the existing intermediate-lane stretch of NH-347B between Hiwarkhedi, Roshni, Ashapur, and Rudhi will be upgraded to a two-lane highway with paved shoulders. In addition, the existing two-lane Deshgaon–Julwania section will be widened to four lanes. The 233.653-kilometre project is estimated to cost ₹4,415.60 crore. The project also includes the construction of a 16.20-kilometre greenfield bypass up to Khargone.

The Cabinet has also approved a new 163.18-kilometre coastal highway project in Odisha connecting Rameshwar to Paradip. The total cost of the project has been estimated at ₹8,300.79 crore. The highway is expected to improve connectivity in coastal regions and promote port-led economic development. It will connect nine economic hubs and five logistics centres. The project is also expected to reduce travel time between Rameshwar and Paradip by approximately two and a half hours.

In Telangana, the Armur–Jagtial–Mancherial section of NH-63 and the Jagtial–Karimnagar section of NH-563 will be upgraded to four-lane standards. The 190.76-kilometre project will involve an investment of ₹7,597.16 crore. It is expected to enhance traffic capacity in the northern and central regions of the state while facilitating smoother freight movement. The project will reduce travel time between Armur and Mancherial by nearly one and a half hours and between Jagtial and Karimnagar by approximately 45 minutes.

The Cabinet has also approved the upgradation of the Khagaria–Purnea section of NH-31 and NH-231 in Bihar to a four-lane highway under the toll-based Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The project is estimated to cost ₹3,936.05 crore. It is expected to strengthen road connectivity across northeastern Bihar and provide fresh momentum to regional development. The project includes the construction of a greenfield bypass up to Purnea city and will connect five economic hubs and eleven logistics centres.

According to the government, these infrastructure projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel time, enhance logistics efficiency, and support economic growth across the four states.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar