The exact date of completion of road upgradation work from Bilaspur to Odisha border of National Highway (NH)-49 cannot be predicted as of now, the Central Government has informed.
However, preparation of Detail Project Report (DPR) for upgradation of the above stretch is at an advanced stage for completion, it informed.
Roads are the main mode of transportation in Chhattisgarh. National Highways (NH6, NH16 and NH78) provide good east-west connections with neighbouring states and NH43 and NH 200 provide the main north-south connection between Raipur, Bilaspur and Jagdalpur, it mentioned.
Notably, as many as 15 National Highway projects are about to get completed unhindered by the end of March 2019 in Chhattisgarh, the Central Government has informed.
This apart, notably, the Chhattisgarh Government has also prepared and approved a priority investment program for improvement (rehabilitation, strengthening and widening) of about 5,000 km of state roads at an estimated cost of about Rs 10,500 crore according to an introductory note made in the Initial Environment Examination (IEE) report submitted by State Public Works Department (PWD) to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in May this year.
The PWD has improved many roads through State Government funds and support from funding agencies including 1249 Km roads with the help of ADB, it mentioned.
The State Government plans to improve the state road network under Chhattisgarh State Roads Sector Development Project (CSRSDP) with the assistance of Asian Development Bank and for that has applied for a loan through Government of India from the ADB for the improvement of about 916 kms state roads in Chhattisgarh, the report mentioned.
This road upgradation and rehabilitation project will improve transport efficiency of the State road network which will contribute to expansion of economic opportunities and poverty reduction.