Raipur . Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Arun Saw met with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Wednesday and urged him to approve various road projects proposed by the state government. He requested Gadkari to construct a bypass to ease traffic congestion in Bilaspur city, approve a six-lane road from Raipur (Arang) to Bilaspur (Darri) under the Bharatmala Pariyojana between Raipur and Bilaspur, and extend the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Marg to Raipur. He also requested the upgrading of 13 national highways in Chhattisgarh and the designation of eight new national highways.

During the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Saw informed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari that Bilaspur city is facing significant traffic pressure due to the ever-increasing population and vehicles, leading to frequent traffic jams. To address this issue, he requested the approval of a 32-kilometer-long four-lane bypass from High Court Bodri to Sendri, bypassing the city, through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as proposed by the state government. This bypass will provide direct connectivity to the proposed Transport Nagar and Logistics Park in Bilaspur city via the Raipur-Bilaspur National Highway. It will also effectively reduce traffic congestion within the city, promote industrial development, communication networks, and planned urban expansion.

Given the presence of coal mines in the northern part of the state and iron mines in the southern part, Saw urged the extension of the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Marg to Raipur as a greenfield road to boost industrial activity, transport coal and iron ore, export steel and cement products, and ensure smooth movement of residents. He stated that the access-controlled 8-lane Raipur-Nagpur-Mumbai connectivity will boost industrial activity in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Saw requested Gadkari to approve the construction of an approximately 95-kilometer 6-lane road from Arang in Raipur to Darri in Bilaspur under the Bharatmala Project. He informed Gadkari that the national highway between Raipur and Bilaspur is currently connected, but due to lack of access control, direct connectivity between the three Bharatmala projects in the state is not possible. The construction of the Arang-Darri road will cover the distance from Raipur to Bilaspur in one hour, and the interconnection of the three Bharatmala roads will provide direct connectivity, saving time, money, and energy in all modes of transportation. 

Saw urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to approve funds for the upgradation of 13 sections of various national highways in the state. He also requested the declaration of eight roads as new national highways, emphasizing the need to upgrade existing roads for the social and economic development of the state.