The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has invited bids for widening a 42-km Nagpur - Wainganga section of National Highway 53 from four lanes to six, at an estimated cost of Rs 2,553.84 crore, including GST. The project covers the stretch from kilometre 499.800 to kilometre 541.800. Once implemented, the additional lanes are expected to provide greater road capacity to accommodate the increasing movement of private vehicles and goods carriers on the Nagpur-Bhandara corridor. However, motorists will have to wait for the upgrade, as the project is still at the tendering stage. NHAI issued the tender on October 9, with November 26, 2026, set as the deadline for submission of bids. The bids are scheduled to be opened on November 27. The proposed widening is significant for commuters from Nagpur and other parts of Vidarbha who regularly travel towards Bhandara, eastern Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. NH-53 forms an important part of the Nagpur-Raipur corridor, carrying passenger vehicles as well as trucks transporting goods across the region.

 

The addition of two lanes could provide greater capacity to handle this mixed traffic, particularly as commercial movement and inter-city travel increase. For daily commuters and long-distance travellers, a wider carriageway could make journeys more convenient and help ease congestion on busy sections. However, the actual improvement in travel time will depend on the final design, junction management and traffic conditions. The project will be executed under the Build-OperateTransfer (BOT ) toll model. Under this arrangement, the selected private developer will undertake the work and operate the highway in accordance with the terms of the agreement with NHAI. A construction start date and completion deadline have not yet been announced.

 

The next key step will be the evaluation of bids and selection of the developer. The proposed widening is separate from the 14.8-km Bhandara bypass, inaugurated in July 2025 at a cost of Rs 735 crore. The bypass was developed to ease traffic congestion within Bhandara and facilitate movement along the Nagpur-Raipur route. While the bypass addresses traffic passing through Bhandara town, the proposed six-laning will increase capacity on the Nagpur-Wainganga section of NH-53. Together, the developments could improve traffic movement along this important regional corridor. The last date to submit the bid is November 26 bid while they will be opened on November 27. The selection of a developer will determine the next stage of the proposed highway upgrade.