On the Fast Track: Chhattisgarh’s Road Revolution

Raipur, 21 July

Chhattisgarh is witnessing a rapid transformation in road infrastructure, with major projects underway to boost connectivity, especially in remote and backward regions. On the initiative of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, work has begun on strengthening the state’s road network, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).

Two major economic corridors—Raipur–Visakhapatnam and Raipur–Dhanbad—are being developed, alongside plans for a new industrial corridor aimed at accelerating industrial activity across the state.

Currently, 37 highway projects worth Rs 18,215 crore are in progress. In addition, 11 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being prepared for 1,131 km of new National Highways at an estimated cost of Rs 24,693 crore.

The Centre has also greenlit 18 new projects worth Rs 5,353 crore for highway upgradation, expected to significantly boost regional development. Between 2014 and 2025, nearly 840 km of single/intermediate-lane highways have been widened to double lanes or more, with Rs 21,380 crore already spent on National Highway development during this period.

Beyond national highways, the Government of India has approved 70 state road projects worth Rs 3,826 crore under CRIF, Central Road Fund, and other schemes between 2014 and 2025.
Key regions including Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bastar, and Surguja are seeing major upgrades. To ease traffic congestion in urban areas, a 92-km six-lane Raipur–Durg bypass is being built in two phases, at a cost of Rs 2,289 crore.

*Economic Corridors to Open Global Market Access, Boost Jobs*
Two major economic corridors are under development in Chhattisgarh.
The first Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor, a 124-km six-lane expressway, is being built to connect the state to Visakhapatnam Port, enabling global market access for Chhattisgarh’s products. The project has been sanctioned at Rs 4,146 crore, with construction already underway.
Secondly, strengthen industrial connectivity with Jharkhand’s key hubs—Ranchi and Dhanbad—a 157-km four-lane Bilaspur–Urga–Pathalgaon road is also being developed at a cost of Rs 4,007 crore.
These corridors are expected to significantly accelerate logistics, industrial growth, and job creation in the region.

*LWE and Janman Yojana*
In a major boost to infrastructure and anti-Naxal efforts, the Government of India has spent Rs 2,625 crore on key road projects in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas of Chhattisgarh between 2014 and 2025, aiming to curb Naxalism through improved connectivity.
Under the PM-Janman Yojana, focused on the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Chhattisgarh has received approval for 715 roads covering 2,449 km, with a total sanction of Rs 1,699 crore. These roads will benefit 775 tribal settlements, giving the state a 51% share of the total 4,831 km sanctioned nationally — the highest in the country.
To promote industrial activity along national highways, the Korba–Bilaspur Industrial Corridor has been approved. Projects under this corridor—including the Urga–Katghora bypass, Basna–Sarangarh feeder, Sarangarh–Raigarh feeder, and the Raipur–Lakhanadon Economic Corridor—cover a total length of 236.1 km, with a total investment of Rs 9,208 crore.
Additionally, the state has received Rs 908 crore from the Central Road Fund for further road development, reinforcing its push toward becoming a major industrial and logistics hub.