Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has told to complete the work of Narmada Expressway originating from about 17 districts of the State and Atal Progressway being developed in Gwalior-Chambal division on a war footing scale. Both these projects are far-reaching investments for the industrial development of the State and for creating new employment opportunities and for the development of new urban areas.
These projects will give new dimensions to the progress of the State. Chouhan was addressing the review meeting of Narmada Expressway and Atal Progressway at Mantralaya. Public Works Minister Gopal Bhargava virtually attended the meeting. Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Principal Secretaries Sanjay Shukla and Neeraj Mandloi and other officers were present in the meeting.
Chouhan said that the land acquisition process in both the projects should be completed expeditiously. Efforts should be made to ensure maximum utilization of Government land in project construction. In private land acquisition, work on the option of giving land in lieu of land on priority basis. Chouhan said that the Gharial Sanctuary should be kept safe in the construction of Atal Progressway. Chouhan said that he will interact with the concerned ministers at Government of India level to complete both the projects at the earliest.
Atal Progressway will pass through Bhind, Morena and Sheopur districts. This area is located between Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, East-West Corridor and Agra-Kanpur Highway. Taking its geographical location into consideration, this area can be developed as an excellent industrial area. The industrial potential of this area is increasing as a result of the circumstances being created in Delhi and adjoining states. Plans are afoot for development of a Logistics Hub in Bhind, multi product industrial area in Morena and encouraging agriculture based activities in Sheopur.
The estimated cost of Atal Progressway is Rs 6,742 crore. This 312 km road will pass through 153 villages of Sheopur, Bhind and Morena. There is need for 3,055 hectare land for this project. Construction of 7 bridges and two ROBs are proposed under this project.
The Narmada Expressway will connect the state on the NH-45E Bilaspur-Raipur-Visakhapatnam route in the eastern border and Gujarat in the west. An estimated cost of Rs 2,696 crore is estimated for the construction of this one thousand kilometer long road. Narmada Expressway will create new opportunities for industrialization by connecting eastern Madhya Pradesh with industrially advanced western Madhya Pradesh.
