MP Cabinet clears ₹24,500 crore proposals, okays 105-km Damoh-Katni highway
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on 29 September approved development proposals worth approximately ₹24,500 crore, covering revised estimates, ongoing schemes, and new infrastructure works across the state. The package spans road connectivity, medical education, and school welfare initiatives.
Key Infrastructure Push
The single largest outlay in the package is the 105-kilometre Damoh-Katni road project, sanctioned at ₹4,470 crore. The highway, which had been listed in the ruling party's election manifesto, is expected to significantly strengthen connectivity across the Bundelkhand region and adjoining areas. Officials said the corridor will ease freight movement and reduce travel time between the two districts.
Health Sector Allocations
In the health sector, the Cabinet cleared a revised estimate of ₹372 crore for the Singrauli medical college hospital. The enhanced allocation will fund additional beds and create capacity for 150 new MBBS seats, doubling the institution's existing intake of 150 seats.
Separately, the revised cost estimate for the Chhindwara Institute of Medical Sciences was approved, with the outlay raised from ₹768 crore to ₹953 crore. According to officials, the enhanced funding is intended to meet all pending construction requirements and enable early completion of the project.
School Uniforms and Compassionate Appointments
The Cabinet also approved the distribution of high-quality uniforms to 58 lakh students enrolled in Classes 1 to 8 across government schools in the state. Earlier uniform distribution plans have been upgraded to ensure improved quality standards, officials said.
In a notable administrative measure, the School Education Department has completed nearly 900 long-pending compassionate appointments following a special drive. The Cabinet has directed all other state departments to clear similar pending cases without delay.
Context: Second Major Package in a Week
This is the second significant Cabinet-level financial clearance in quick succession. On 22 September, the Madhya Pradesh Council of Ministers — also chaired by CM Mohan Yadav at the Mantralaya — had approved proposals worth approximately ₹13,790 crore, targeting infrastructure development, agricultural expansion, and administrative strengthening. Together, the two rounds amount to over ₹38,000 crore in state-level commitments within a single week.
The cumulative approvals signal an accelerated spending push as the state government looks to move key projects off the drawing board ahead of the next budget cycle.