A major infrastructure project aimed at strengthening road connectivity in Madhya Pradesh is set to begin on Saturday with the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar will inaugurate the ambitious project at Chandrawatiganj in Indore district's Sanwer Assembly constituency. Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat is also expected to attend the event. The project is being viewed as a significant step toward enhancing transportation links between Indore and Ujjain while supporting economic growth and future urban development in the region.

The proposed four-lane corridor will span approximately 48 kilometers and is estimated to cost around ₹2,935 crore. Once completed, it will provide a faster and more efficient route between the two cities, reducing travel time and improving traffic movement.

Key Features of the Project

According to officials, the Greenfield Corridor will begin near the Pitra Parvat area in Indore and extend to the Simhastha Bypass near the Chintaman Ganesh Temple in Ujjain. The road is expected to become a crucial transport link, particularly during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, when millions of pilgrims travel to Ujjain.

Authorities believe the corridor will significantly reduce traffic congestion on existing routes and provide a dedicated high-capacity road for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Improved connectivity is also expected to support tourism and regional economic activity.

Farmers Compensated for Acquired Land

The project required the acquisition of approximately 242.939 hectares of land belonging to 917 farmers. The state government has distributed compensation exceeding ₹816 crore to affected landowners.

Officials highlighted that compensation was calculated based on prevailing market and sale rates rather than standard collector guideline rates. As a result, farmers reportedly received compensation ranging from four to eight times higher than conventional assessments, a model being described as one of the first of its kind in the state.

Benefits for Villages and Pilgrims

The Greenfield Corridor will directly connect 20 villages in Indore district and eight villages in Ujjain district. In addition, residents of 40 to 50 nearby villages are expected to benefit from improved transportation access and economic opportunities generated by the project.

Government estimates suggest that nearly 1.5 million people in the surrounding region could gain from the enhanced connectivity. The corridor is also expected to improve access for visitors arriving from other states, allowing travelers landing at Indore Airport to reach Ujjain more quickly and conveniently.

With preparations underway for future editions of the Simhastha Mela, the project is being seen as a strategic investment in infrastructure that can accommodate large-scale pilgrim movement while supporting long-term regional development. Officials believe the corridor will play a key role in transforming travel between Indore and Ujjain and strengthening connectivity across central Madhya Pradesh.