Minister for Public Works Sajjan Singh Verma met the Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Thursday. Verma discussed in length about the pending issues of national highways. During the deliberations, approval in principle was granted to the elevated corridor of Indore by the Union Government.

Verma assured the Union Minister Gadkari that land acquisition cases of the national highways will be resolved within the prescribe time limit. He informed that orders have already been issued for land acquisition in connection to 116 km long Bhopal-Indore Express Way. Besides, consent has been received under the Central Road Fund for construction of long awaited elevated corridor from LIG to Navlakha for convenient and smooth traffic movement in the middle of Indore city. The proposed elevated corridor includes part of LIG Square, Palasia Square, Bangali Square, Shivaji Statue Square and Navlakha Square.

Verma further mentioned that an amount of Rs 151 crore has been approved under the one time settlement for segments of such roads of the urban areas of the national highways of Madhya Pradesh which are not presently included in any scheme due to the construction of new bypasses. Under this, consent has also been granted for works like construction of 6 lane segment from Maksi Bypass Square to Bhopal Square of old NH-3 of Dewas city, road development from Bhopal Square to District Session Court, beautification and central lighting.

Besides, Verma has informed that the Union Minister Shri Gadkari has told him to send the traffic data of Kurwai-Mugawli-Chanderi National Highway and Pachore-Jeerapur National Highway, which were pending due to the technical reasons. Approval will be issued on the basis of data.

During the meeting, the Union Minister Gadkari granted approval to new Ujjain-Garoth national highway, which will connect Baroda to New Delhi. He also directed to invite tenders to convert Bhawar Kuan to Tejaji Nagar Chouraha Khandwa bypass into 6 lane bypass.

The PWD Minister has informed that approval has also been given by the Union National Highways in the time escalation cases of pending four lane construction works of Bhopal-Jabalpur national highway. He mentioned that Gadkari has given assurance for starting Bhopal-Khandwa-Icchapur four lane road shortly and directed the concerned officer to initiate a process of tender.