-Travel Time to Drop from 12 Hours to 5

New Delhi, 7 December (H.S.): The ambitious Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor is set to be completed by December 2026, significantly transforming regional connectivity across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Once operational, the travel distance between Raipur and Visakhapatnam will shrink from 597 km to 465 km, while journey time will be reduced from 12 hours to just 5 hours.

Developed under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the six-lane greenfield expressway is being built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at an estimated cost of ₹16,482 crore. Designed for a top speed of 100 km per hour, the access-controlled highway aims to ensure faster and safer freight and passenger movement across the region.

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the completion of this corridor will directly link the industrial hubs of Chhattisgarh and Odisha with the Visakhapatnam Port and the Chennai–Kolkata National Highway, helping lower logistics costs, strengthen supply chains, and boost exports. It will also ease traffic pressure on the existing two-lane NH-26.

The project’s local economic impact is already visible. Transporters say the reduced travel time will significantly cut diesel consumption and vehicle maintenance costs, while farmers view it as a catalyst for regional prosperity.

Vishal, a truck owner who regularly ships goods from Raipur to Visakhapatnam, noted, “Earlier, the journey took nearly a day and a half. Once the new corridor opens, we’ll be able to reach our destination within a single day — saving fuel, time, and operating costs.”

In Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, land values have soared — rising from ₹15 lakh per acre to nearly ₹1.5 crore per acre, signaling rapid transformation in rural economic conditions. Locals like Srinivasulu from Jami village say they received fair compensation for the land acquired and have seen the value of their remaining property increase manifold.

The corridor will enhance connectivity across Dhamtari, Kanker, Keshkal (Chhattisgarh), Nabarangpur, Koraput, Borigumma (Odisha), and Araku (Andhra Pradesh), unlocking new opportunities in education, healthcare, industry, tourism, and employment.

Construction is underway in 15 separate packages, and the government views the project as a landmark step toward industrial, social, and transport-driven growth in Eastern and Central India.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar