FREE PRESS INDORE | TUESDAY | JANUARY 6, 2026 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper MP Accelerates National Highway Projects M adhya Pradesh has intensified its highway development push, signalling an accelerated phase of infrastructure-led growth marked by tighter timelines, stricter quality norms and stronger accountability. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday participated in a comprehensive review meeting of the state’s national highway projects, chaired by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Union Ministers of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh, chief secretary Anurag Jain, and senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state administration. Chairing the review, Gadkari directed that all road projects proposed for Simhastha 2028 be completed strictly within the prescribed timelines, underlining the importance of seamless connectivity for the mega religious event. He appreciated the Madhya Pradesh government for the satisfactory progress of ongoing highway works and High-level review sets faster execution, stronger quality controls, Simhastha focus and future-ready road connectivity plans noted that no NHAI project in the state has been pending for more than three years, reflecting improved execution and governance. The review covered highway beautification, bridge and culvert construction and black spot rectification aimed at improving road safety. Stressing environmental responsibility, Gadkari said modern tree transplantation techniques should be preferred over tree cutting in road projects. Major projects including the Khandwa Bypass, Jabalpur Ring Road, Indore–Harda corridor and Rewa Bypass, were reviewed in detail, with directions to expedite pending works. Officials informed that mobility, reinforcing the government’s push for faster, future-ready infrastructure delivery. MP steps up speed, quality in highway works n n Madhya Pradesh currently has 61 national highway projects under implementation—33 under NHAI and 28 under the MoRTH–PWD framework. With a national highway network exceeding 9,300 kilometres, the state’s roads are critical to economic growth, tourism expansion and safe n n Fast-track execution: All Simhastha-2028 linked highway projects are directed for strict, timebound completion. Quality-first approach: Strong emphasis on construction quality, durable patchwork and toll-road maintenance. Zero long delays: No NHAI project in Madhya Pradesh pending beyond 3 years. Scale of work: 61 national Madhya Pradesh (RO Bhopal): Distribution of National Highways (MoRT&H) PARTICULARS Total Length Completed Ongoing (Total) Under Construction Administrative Approval (AD) Pending DPR Completed (Under Approval / Sanctioning) Sanctioned (Under Tendering) Under DPR Preparation n highway projects are currently underway across the state. Sustainable development: LENGTH (KM) 3,816 1,455 1,260 1,108 152 98 568 435 Tree transplantation, blackspot rectification and bridge upgrades prioritised. GROWTH THROUGH MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION IN MP RS 10,000 CRORE HIGHWAY PROJECTS STRENGTHEN CONNECTIVITY, REDUCE LOGISTICS COSTS AND FUEL ECONOMIC MOMENTUM M adhya Pradesh has entered a decisive phase of infrastructure-led growth under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, with large-scale highway construction, logistics expansion and alternative energy initiatives reshaping the state’s development trajectory. The momentum was on full display on 30th January as Chief Minister Yadav held a series of high-level meetings and joint programmes with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Smart villages central to self-reliant India Farmers as energy producers, not just food providers Addressing a large gathering at the Veterinary College Ground in Jabalpur, Gadkari said that India’s development vision must move beyond smart cities to include smart villages, stressing that rural prosperity is essential for building a self-reliant nation. He described Jabalpur as a “growth engine” of Madhya Pradesh, citing its strategic importance in tourism, education, culture and economic activity. Gadkari underlined that roads and bridges form the backbone of development, driving industrial expansion, agricultural exports and tourism growth. “Roads become the axis of development for any state,” he said, noting that improved highways significantly reduce logistics costs and unlock new economic opportunities. A key theme of the Jabalpur address was the Centre’s push for alternative fuels and clean energy. Gadkari said Madhya Pradesh’s farmers have the potential to evolve from being annadata to urjadata—energy producers—by leveraging agricultural biomass. He highlighted green hydrogen, bioCNG, bio-LNG and sustainable aviation fuel as future-ready solutions, explaining that crop residue and biomass can be converted into energy crops. Citing examples such as ethanol, bitumen and aviation fuel production from stubble in other states, he said these initiatives reduce fossil fuel dependence while curbing pollution. Gadkari also spoke about coal-based methanol as a cost-effective alternative to diesel and petrol, particularly for mining and transport sectors. With abundant coal reserves, water resources and agricultural output, Madhya Pradesh, he said, is well positioned to adopt such technologies at scale and lead India’s transition from an energy-importing to an energy-exporting nation. Gadkari, in Jabalpur and later in Bhopal. Across the day, national highway projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones laid, marking one of the most extensive singleday infrastructure pushes in Madhya Pradesh. From public works to public welfare The Public Works Department (PWD) of Madhya Pradesh is steadily advancing towards the Developed India @2047 vision through largescale road and infrastructure development. After the formation of the new government on December 13, 2023, a clear roadmap for a Developed Madhya Pradesh was drawn up. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the department is working at a rapid pace under the continuous review and guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. With over 77,000 km of road network under its control, PWD is strengthening connectivity between cities, towns and rural areas. Major investments in roads, bridges, flyovers, expressways and public buildings are improving logistics, boosting tourism, supporting industry and generating employment. The long-term goal is to transform Madhya Pradesh into a modern logistics and transport hub, ensuring inclusive growth where infrastructure directly translates into public welfare. Major highway projects launched in Jabalpur Chief Minister Yadav and Gadkari jointly inaugurated and laid foundation stones for nine national highway projects in Jabalpur, covering 226 km at a cost of Rs 2,367 crore. These include bridge construction, two-lane and four-lane upgrades, bypasses, service roads, foot overbridges and black-spot rectification works. The projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity across the Mahakaushal region, benefitting wheat and paddy trade, strengthening coal-based industries in Katni and easing access to key tourism and pilgrimage destinations such as Khajuraho, Orchha and Pench Tiger Reserve. CM Yadav highlights transformation in road construction Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Yadav said Madhya Pradesh’s roads are now enhancing India’s global image. Recalling the state’s past infrastructure challenges, he said sustained investment over the last decade has transformed the transport landscape. He pointed out that India had around 1,000 km of national highways in 2013–14, which has expanded to over 1.61 lakh km in ten years. The pace of highway construction, he added, has increased from 11.6 km per day to 29.6 km per day. “This speed of road construction has astonished the world,” Yadav said, attributing the progress to coordinated planning, political will and efficient execution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. HOW THE HIGHWAY PUSH WILL IMPACT MADHYA PRADESH n n n n n n Faster movement of goods and people across regions Improved access to industrial, agricultural and tourism hubs Reduced travel time and logistics costs Enhanced road safety through black-spot correction Employment generation during and after project execution Bhopal projects worth over Rs 8,000 crore Later in the evening, the Chief Minister and the Union minister jointly laid the foundation stone for 15 national highway projects in Bhopal, covering 499 km at a cost of Rs 8,038 crore, at a ceremony held at the Lal Parade Ground. These projects are aimed at reducing travel time between major cities and towns, strengthening freight movement and improving inter-state connectivity. Proposals for ropeways and cable cars at Upper Lake Bhopal and in Ujjain were also discussed, with Gadkari assuring that approvals would be expedited. He noted that improved road infrastructure would support agricultural exports, highlighting Malwa’s wheat, which already has strong demand in international markets. Two years of CM Mohan Yadav: Key governance milestones n Rs 32 lakh crore investment secured, rapid industrial expansion n Rs 8.57 lakh crore projects grounded, execution gains momentum n 23 lakh jobs proposed, employment drive accelerates n Poor welfare mission launched, food security to 1.33 crore families n Ladli Behna enhanced, monthly aid raised to Rs 1,500 n Rs 48,000 crore transferred, farmers receive direct benefit n Irrigation push scaled up, 1 crore hectare target set n One lakh km roads planned, connectivity reshaping economy n Five cities to become metros, urban growth redefined n Education and health strengthened, schools colleges hospitals expanded D-16138