The proposed visit of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to Chhattisgarh has accelerated activity along the under-construction Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor. Officials have begun extensive maintenance and improvement work on the route as preparations gather pace for Gadkari’s likely inspection tour in the first week of July.

According to sources, the minister is expected to review the progress of the corridor, a major infrastructure project being developed under the Bharat Mala Pariyojana. While an aerial survey was initially considered, Gadkari has reportedly expressed a preference for travelling by road to assess the project firsthand.

If the schedule is finalized, the minister will travel from Raipur to Visakhapatnam by car, allowing him to directly evaluate road quality, construction progress, traffic safety measures, and project execution on the ground.

Preparations Gain Momentum

Following indications of the minister’s visit, officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have intensified efforts along the corridor. Repair work, road patching, cleaning operations, divider maintenance, and the installation and refurbishment of signboards are being carried out on a priority basis.

Authorities are also focusing on improving the overall appearance of the highway stretches expected to be inspected during the proposed journey. Officials believe the road-based inspection will provide a more realistic assessment of the corridor’s condition and progress compared to an aerial survey.

The Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor is considered one of the most significant connectivity projects in central and eastern India, aimed at improving logistics efficiency and reducing travel time between Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

Project Nears Completion

The economic corridor, estimated to cost around ₹16,482 crore, was launched during the 2020-21 period under the Bharat Mala programme. The project experienced delays in its initial stages due to land acquisition challenges and environmental clearances.

However, construction has gained momentum in recent months. Officials estimate that nearly 80 percent of the work has already been completed.

Key infrastructure components, including tunnels and major viaduct sections, are currently in the final stages of construction. According to project authorities, the remaining work is expected to be completed by December this year.

A significant portion of the corridor passes through Chhattisgarh, making the state a critical beneficiary of the project’s economic and transportation advantages.

Strategic Importance

The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor is designed to strengthen freight movement between central India and the eastern coast. Improved connectivity is expected to benefit industries, exporters, logistics operators, and local businesses by reducing transportation costs and travel time.

The project is also expected to boost regional development by improving access to industrial clusters, mining areas, and ports, thereby supporting economic growth across multiple states.

Official Confirmation Awaited

While preparations are underway, authorities have clarified that the minister’s final itinerary has not yet been officially confirmed.

According to Digvijay Singh, Regional Officer in charge of the project, the visit is proposed for the first week of July and may include a comprehensive review of the corridor's progress. Final dates and the detailed schedule are expected to be announced after official approval.

Kachna railway overbridge opening: Relief for 3 lakh commuters in Raipur after 8 years

Long wait ends today

The long-standing traffic woes of over three lakh residents in Raipur are set to end this evening as the Kachna railway overbridge opens to the public after an eight-year delay. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will officially inaugurate the newly constructed overbridge at 6 PM today, throwing it open for regular vehicular movement immediately after the ceremony.

Final preparations, including the installation and testing of streetlights, continued late into Thursday night to ensure the structure was ready for the high-profile launch. While the blacktopping and structural work were wrapped up by May 7, finishing touches were being given until the last minute.

Traffic diversion announced

Local authorities have issued a traffic advisory ahead of the inauguration ceremony. Vehicle movement on the Khamhardih-Kachna road will remain diverted between 5 PM and 8 PM today to facilitate the event.

Commuters travelling from Anupam Nagar to Kachna are advised to take the Shriram Nagar overbridge route via the BSNL office. Similarly, traffic heading towards Khamhardih from Kachna will be rerouted through the same detour. Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Arun Sao, local MLAs, and municipal corporators are scheduled to attend the event alongside the Chief Minister.

End to frequent bottlenecks

The Kachna railway crossing had become one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the city due to a massive surge in rail traffic over the last decade. According to railway data, nearly 120 passenger and freight trains pass through this section every 24 hours.

“The gate used to close every 15 minutes on average, leading to massive tailbacks on both sides,” said a regular commuter from the area.

During peak hours, hundreds of motorists, school buses, and emergency vehicles found themselves stranded in the scorching heat and monsoon downpours. The opening of the Kachna railway overbridge opening will eliminate these frequent operational halts entirely.

Changing footprint of Raipur

When the PWD initially conceptualized the project nearly eight years ago, Kachna was largely considered the outer periphery of Raipur with manageable traffic volume. However, rapid urban expansion has transformed the landscape.

The area has seen an explosion of residential projects, housing thousands of families. Major residential pockets, including VIP State, Ashoka Ratan, Kachna Housing Board, Baradera, Jora, Chandinagar, Parvati Nagar, and Bhavna Nagar, which were hit hardest by the daily delays, stand to benefit directly from this infrastructure upgrade.

Project cost and specifications

Built at an estimated cost of ₹35 crore, the new two-lane overbridge spans a total length of 871 meters and features a width of 12 meters. The structure originates just past the CSEB office in Khamhardih and terminates near the Housing Board Colony in Kachna, providing a seamless bypass over the busy railway tracks.

Better connectivity ahead

The commissioning of the Kachna bridge ties into a broader infrastructure push targeting Raipur’s eastern and northern sectors. The state government is already planning an ambitious 14.7-km Expressway-2 project connecting Mova to Jora.

Estimated to cut travel time to Nawa Raipur and the airport down to just 10 minutes, the proposed corridor will feature double-decker flyovers to bypass seven major traffic intersections, signaling a major overhaul for the city's transport network.