Raipur. Strengthening road infrastructure in central Chhattisgarh, the four-lane upgradation of the Raipur-Kodebod section of National Highway 30 has been successfully completed. Implemented by the National Highways Authority of India under the National Highway Development Programme, the 33.2-kilometer project transforms a long-stressed two-lane road into a modern four-lane divided highway, significantly improving connectivity and travel efficiency between Raipur, Dhamtari, and surrounding hinterland.
Approved in September 2016, the ₹987.88 crore project spans from kilometer 10,200 to 43,400 of National Highway 30 and strengthens passenger traffic, as well as agricultural logistics and regional freight transportation. Challenges related to material supply and inter-ministerial coordination were encountered during construction. The availability of fly ash and pond ash required for embankment construction—which was being procured from the Sipat and Lara units of the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited—was affected from time to time due to regulatory interpretations and coordination requirements, impacting the work sequence.

Meanwhile, a case arose regarding 0.256 hectares of land in Boriyakala village, Raipur district, which was later identified as Defence Research and Development Organisation land. Work on this plot required formal transfer and work authorization from the Ministry of Defence. Despite its limited size, the site was strategically important, and the halt in work there would have impacted the continuity of the entire corridor.

Following a review of the project under the Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation platform in February 2023, emphasis was placed on expediting the resolution of pending land and material supply issues. Close coordination between central government ministries and the Chhattisgarh government, combined with joint action by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Defence, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the state government, stabilized fly ash supplies and resolved defense land issues through evaluation, approval, and work permitting. Following the removal of these obstacles, construction progressed rapidly, and the project achieved 100% physical progress and commenced operations on June 20, 2023. The upgraded highway was formally dedicated to the nation with the issuance of the provisional completion certificate by the authorized engineer.

The project's operation has resulted in a 30-40 percent increase in average vehicle speed, a nearly 50 percent reduction in travel time, and a significant drop in fuel consumption and vehicle operating costs. The route between Raipur—Chhattisgarh's administrative and commercial hub—and Dhamtari district, with a population of approximately 800,000, has now emerged as a strong economic hub, benefiting over 4.5-5 million people in the surrounding districts. The movement of paddy, forest produce, cement, steel, and construction materials has been facilitated; farmers, traders, and transporters have improved access to mandis, rice mills, and urban markets. Approximately 3,000-4,000 direct and indirect jobs were created during the construction period, while after its operation, the route continues to support dhabas, fuel stations, transportation services, and logistics-based micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Overall, the Raipur-Kodebod four-lane project demonstrates that high-level monitoring and effective coordination can ensure timely completion of complex infrastructure projects. This highway has now established itself as a key cornerstone of long-term mobility and economic development for Chhattisgarh.