Daijiworld Media Network - Indore
Indore, Apr 10: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday pledged that Madhya Pradesh's road infrastructure will rival that of the United States within the next two years, thanks to a slew of large-scale highway and green corridor projects.
Speaking at an event in Dhar district, Gadkari unveiled multiple projects and laid foundations for roadworks worth thousands of crores. He emphasized that projects worth nearly ?3 lakh crore are currently underway across the state, with completion expected by April 2026.
“We are working on five major greenfield economic corridors in the state, with an investment of ?33,000 crore. These projects will redefine connectivity and boost economic activity across Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
Gadkari also announced a signature infrastructure project — an iconic bridge to be built across the Narmada River in Omkareshwar. “A detailed project report is ready, and construction will commence shortly,” he added.
Reflecting on the transformation in the state’s infrastructure over the past two decades, Gadkari recalled, “When I used to travel from Nagpur to Chhindwara, there were hardly any roads. Today, the progress is visible — from urban hubs to remote villages.”
He highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s strategic location at the heart of India, making it a key link in inter-state connectivity. With upcoming highways, travel between neighboring states will be shorter and more efficient.
Gadkari also touched upon his broader vision of building “smart villages” alongside “smart cities” to ensure balanced development across urban and rural India. He praised the role of farmers not only in food production but also in contributing to the circular economy through the supply of raw materials for bio-based industries.
The event was attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, PWD Minister Rakesh Singh, and other senior officials. Gadkari urged the state leadership to expedite land acquisition to fast-track project implementation.