In a significant decision to boost connectivity and to reduce travel time, the upgradation of the Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor to a four-lane highway in Madhya Pradesh has been approved with a substantial investment of Rs 3,589.4 crore. The project encompasses four packages, namely Bhopal to Vidisha, Vidisha to Gyaraspur, Satnaighat to Chouka, and Chouka to Kaimaha. Notably, the Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor is a vital artery connecting the two major cities of Bhopal and Kanpur, passing through the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The upgradation of this corridor is expected to have a profound impact on the region’s overall development, fostering economic growth, and improving the quality of life for the local population. In a post of social media platform X, Union Minister of Road transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari stated that “Upgradation of Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor to 4-lane in Madhya Pradesh has been approved for Bhopal to Vidisha, Vidisha to Gyaraspur, Sataighat to Chauka and Chauka to Kaimha packages at a cost of Rs 3589.4 crore. These projects will have a positive impact on the overall development of the region by enhancing connectivity, reducing travel time, improving road safety and accelerating economic growth of the region.”

 

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav also expressed the gratitude of Union Minister Gadkari for this “invaluable gift of Vikaspath to Madhya Pradesh.” Significantly, this economic corridor valued at Rs 11,300 crore is already under construction and is at the helm of National Highway Authority of India. Kanpur of UP and Bhopal-Indore of Madhya Pradesh will be connected through this Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor. The special thing is that the Bundelkhand region will benefit the most from this corridor as this area will act as a bridge to connect these big cities. This highway will be 526 km long. A target of 3 years has been set to build it and it will be completed in 2026. The project was first announced in January 2023 by Nitin Gadkari. One of the greenfield sections includes the ‘Sagar Link Road’ which will reduce the distance from Bhopal to Kanpur by 21 km.

 

As per the latest updates, the Ministry of Environment has granted a no objection certificate (NOC) to the construction of this expansive highway. The construction will begin soon and adopt the model of the Yamuna Express Highway. The two separate sections with cater to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh individually. Currently, the vehicles commuting between cities in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh take the NH 27 or NH 34 highway, both of which require 11-13 hours of travel between Bhopal and Kanpur. But now, with the construction of this new and advanced multi-lane corridor, the time will decrease to just 7 hours. In the Madhya Pradesh section, land has been acquired for the 223 km Mahoba-Sagar four-to-six lane highway linking Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh to Sagar in Madhya Pradesh. Whereas, In the Uttar Pradesh section, the preliminary approval given by the government has been of a 112km long National Highway spanning from Kanpur to Mahoba. Not only will this entire corridor provide direct connectivity from Lucknow-Kanpur to Bhopal via Hamirpur, but is also expected to enhance the supply chain of construction materials, especially those transported from Madhya Pradesh to cities in Uttar Pradesh.