90.5 km of Major Routes to Be Upgraded; Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao Says Expanded Road Network Will Boost Safety, Connectivity and Economic Growth
TFP Bureau, Raipur, April 8,2026: In a major push to strengthen road infrastructure and improve connectivity across the state, the Public Works Department (PWD) has sanctioned ₹708.21 crore for the construction and widening of 15 four-lane roads spanning a total length of 90.5 kilometres. The projects were approved during the recently concluded financial year 2025–26 and will be implemented across multiple districts.
The large-scale investment aims to decongest high-traffic corridors, reduce travel time, enhance commuter safety and create a modern road network capable of supporting growing urban and rural mobility demands. Officials said the expansion of four-lane roads will not only facilitate smoother vehicular movement but also stimulate economic activities by improving access to markets, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and industrial hubs.
Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Arun Sao said that ensuring safe and efficient transportation remains one of the government’s top priorities. “The expansion of four-lane roads is not limited to easing traffic congestion; it lays a strong foundation for economic progress. Large-scale infrastructure investments will accelerate balanced development across rural and urban areas,” he said.
Major Projects in Durg District
In Durg district, multiple urban connectivity projects have been approved to streamline traffic flow in key commercial and residential areas. These include:
- ₹3.41 crore for a 0.5 km four-lane stretch from the Durg–Dhamdha–Bemetara underbridge to Agrasen Chowk.
- ₹20.64 crore for a 7 km four-lane road connecting Smriti Nagar petrol pump to IIT Jewra Sirsa.
- ₹28.58 crore for a 4.70 km route from Mini Mata Chowk to Maharaja Chowk–Thagra Dam.
- ₹23.97 crore for a 1.80 km four-lane road linking Maharaja Chowk to Borsi Chowk.
These projects are expected to significantly ease urban congestion and support industrial and residential expansion in the region.
Key Sanctions in Raigarh
In Raigarh district, major road widening and bypass construction works have been approved:
- ₹41.49 crore for a 2.50 km four-lane widening from Dhimrapur Chowk to Kotra Police Station Chowk.
- ₹55.29 crore for widening the Raigarh–Kotra–Nandeli State Highway from Km 1 to Km 5.
- ₹81.48 crore for four-lane widening, including electrification, of the Raigarh–Loing–Mahapalli Major District Road (Km 1 to Km 5).
- ₹152.17 crore for construction of a 6 km Tamnar four-lane bypass.
The Tamnar bypass project, in particular, is expected to divert heavy vehicles away from congested town areas, improving safety and reducing pollution.
Projects in Raipur, Ambikapur and Bilaspur
In Raipur district, ₹17.09 crore has been sanctioned for four-lane upgradation of a 2.8 km stretch on the Abhanpur section of National Highway-30. Additionally, ₹34.20 crore has been approved for constructing a 3.50 km four-lane road from the New Fair Site to Lakshman Jhula in Rajim, improving connectivity to a major religious and tourism centre.
In Ambikapur, ₹61.34 crore will be utilised for widening a 5 km stretch from Gandhi Chowk to the Railway Station, aimed at easing traffic in the city’s central corridor.
In Bilaspur district, ₹82.80 crore has been sanctioned for the 13.40 km Koni–Mopka four-lane bypass, which is expected to reduce inner-city congestion and facilitate smoother transit for long-distance vehicles. Additionally, ₹14.71 crore has been allocated for the four-lane widening and strengthening of a 21 km stretch on the Kota–Lormi–Pandariya route, enhancing inter-district connectivity.
Strengthening Roads in Jashpur and Kabirdham
In Jashpur district, ₹36.85 crore has been approved for the upgradation and strengthening of three key stretches totaling 7.30 km. These include:
- 2 km from Indira Chowk, Patthalgaon towards Jashpur Road.
- 1.50 km from Indira Chowk towards Ambikapur Road.
- 3.80 km from Indira Chowk towards Raigarh Road.
Meanwhile, in Kabirdham district, ₹54.21 crore has been sanctioned for four-lane upgradation and construction of dividers on National Highway-30 from Km 50 to Km 57, aimed at enhancing highway safety standards.
Boost to Economic and Social Development
Officials in the Public Works Department said that the four-lane expansion will not only improve transportation efficiency but also provide a multiplier effect for sectors such as agriculture, trade, logistics, education and healthcare. Improved road infrastructure reduces transportation costs, attracts private investment and strengthens supply chains, particularly benefiting farmers and small businesses in semi-urban and rural areas.
With traffic volumes steadily rising due to urbanisation and industrial growth, the state government’s focus on widening key corridors is seen as a forward-looking measure to accommodate future mobility demands.
The ₹708 crore infrastructure push marks one of the largest coordinated road expansion initiatives undertaken in recent years, reinforcing the government’s commitment to modernising transport networks and accelerating comprehensive development across the state.
