Key Infrastructure Projects Announced in MP | 25 Aug 2025

Why in News? 

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced major infrastructure projects in Madhya Pradesh, including a four-lane corridor connecting key tiger reserves to boost tourism and a greenfield highway between Bhopal and Jabalpur, with construction set to begin next year. 

Key Points 

  • Tiger Corridor: The ₹5,500-crore 'tiger corridor' will link Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, and Panna tiger reserves, aiming to boost tourism, create jobs, and enhance the state's economy. 
  • Highways: A new 255-km greenfield highway between Bhopal and Jabalpur will be built at a cost of ₹15,000 crore, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) due by December 2025. 
    • A 220-km high-speed corridor connecting Lakhnadon in Seoni district to Raipur, Chhattisgarh, was also announced. 
  • Longest Flyover: A new 6.85 km flyover in Jabalpur, the longest in the state, was also inaugurated and will reduce travel time between Madan Mahal and Damoh Naka from 45 minutes to just 7 minutes.  
    • It also includes a 192-meter cable-stayed bridge and three bow-string bridges. 
    • The flyover, costing ₹1,200 crore, was funded by the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and was originally initiated in 2019.

Central Road and Infrastructure Fund

  • The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), originally known as the Central Road Fund, was established in 2000 under the Central Road Fund Act, 2000. 
    • The fund is financed through a cess levied alongside the excise duty on petrol and diesel. 
  • The Ministry of Finance now administers the CRIF, whereas it was previously managed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 
  • The Central Road Fund Act (Amendment) of 2018 renamed the fund and expanded its scope, allowing proceeds to finance other infrastructure projects such as waterways, railway infrastructure, and social infrastructure like educational and medical institutions.