Madhya Pradesh has proposed the construction of five new greenfield highways spanning 1,398 kilometres at an estimated cost of ₹63,296 crore, aiming to significantly upgrade road connectivity across key regions of the state. The projects, currently in the preparatory stage, were reviewed by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at the 49th Board of Directors meeting of the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC), held at Samatva Bhavan on Thursday, 5 November 2026.

The Five Proposed Corridors

The planned highways are four-lane, access-controlled corridors that will create entirely new routes with designated entry and exit points. The five alignments are: the 258-km Bhopal–Mandsaur highway, the 227-km Sagar–Satna stretch, the 358-km Jabalpur–Ashapur route, the 320-km Bhopal–Gwalior corridor, and the 235-km Katni–Singrauli highway. Together, they are designed to link major cities and economic hubs while relieving congestion on existing state and national roads.

Where Each Project Stands

Consultants are currently preparing feasibility reports and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the Bhopal–Mandsaur, Sagar–Satna, and Jabalpur–Ashapur corridors, with multiple alignment options still under evaluation. The MPRDC will select the most suitable alignments from these options. For the remaining two — the Bhopal–Gwalior and Katni–Singrauli corridors — the tender process to appoint DPR consultants is already underway. The Board of Directors has approved feasibility report preparation for all five projects; full DPRs will follow only if each project is found viable.

CM Yadav's Directives

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who chaired the board meeting, directed officials to accelerate ongoing road construction works and strengthen inter-departmental coordination to fast-track the greenfield projects. The meeting also marked the renaming of the state's 'Highway Fund' to 'Viksit Madhya Pradesh Sankalp Path', signalling a rebranding aligned with the state's broader development narrative.

Other Key Decisions at the Board Meeting

The board approved 100 per cent equity divestment in the Jaora–Nayagaon four-lane project. New posts — comprising two Chief Engineers, three General Managers, and five Deputy General Managers — were sanctioned for the Corporation to bolster administrative capacity. A proposal to exempt combine harvesters used for agricultural operations from toll charges at MPRDC plazas was also cleared, offering direct relief to farming communities. Additionally, approvals were granted for the acquisition of the PAM (Public Asset Management) Building in Arera Hills, the appointment of an independent director, and the transfer of ownership of various road projects to the Corporation.

Broader Infrastructure Context

Madhya Pradesh has been steadily expanding its road network as part of a push to attract industrial investment and improve intra-state logistics. The greenfield approach — building entirely new alignments rather than upgrading existing roads — allows for straighter, faster routes but typically involves greater land acquisition challenges and longer lead times. This comes amid a wider national drive to develop expressway-grade corridors across Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions. With feasibility studies still ongoing, the timeline for groundbreaking on any of the five highways remains subject to DPR outcomes and financial structuring.