Western Bhopal Bypass Cost Jumps ₹792 Crore

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved the construction of the Western Bhopal four-lane bypass along with paved shoulder at an increased cost of ₹3,774 crore. The project cost has risen by ₹792 crore, an 8.18% increase, due to a change in alignment.

The original project, which was sanctioned for ₹2,981.65 crore on September 4, 2023, had a length of 40.90 km. However, the revised alignment has reduced the length to 35.61 km. The new bypass will allow vehicles traveling from Jabalpur and Narmadapuram to Indore to bypass Bhopal, reducing the traveling distance by 21 km.

The change in alignment was necessary due to the declaration of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, environmental concerns related to the Upper Lake catchment area, and the need to connect the bypass to the eastern bypass. The revised alignment also avoids the Samasgarh-based historical Shiv temple.

The Western Bhopal bypass is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the city. The project will be constructed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and will include paved shoulders.

In other news, the cabinet also ratified the decision to purchase 60% of the total summer moong production from registered farmers, up from the previous 25%. Additionally, the cabinet approved the construction of the 67.116-km Mehluwa-Bina-Khimlasa-Malthone four-lane road, which will have a total project financial cost of ₹2,776.83 crore.

The cabinet also approved the implementation of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grami) (VB-G RAM G) Yojana from July 1, 2026, with an estimated cost of ₹3,183 crore for the financial year 2026-27. The scheme will be implemented in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the State.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved ₹2,973 crore for the upgradation of the Sanchi Brand and cooperative system, which will benefit milk producers in the state. The dairy development scheme aims to expand cooperative milk committees to 26,000 villages, increase milk processing capacity to 52 lakh kg per day, and distribute 35 lakh litres of milk per day.

The cabinet's decisions are expected to have a significant impact on the state's infrastructure, agriculture, and dairy sectors.

The approval of the Western Bhopal bypass project and other initiatives demonstrates the government's commitment to improving the state's infrastructure and promoting economic growth. The projects are expected to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and improve the quality of life for residents in the state.

In conclusion, the cabinet's decisions are a significant step forward for the state's development, and the implementation of these projects will be closely watched in the coming months and years.