DPR of Lakhnadon–Balaghat–Lanji–Khairagarh–Raipur Greenfield Expressway to be Ready by December 2025; Region to Witness New Growth and Job Opportunities
Published on: August 26, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Khairagarh, India
The efforts of Member of Parliament Santosh Pandey during the Parliament session have begun to show results. At the inauguration of a multi-crore flyover in Jabalpur, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Lakhnadon–Balaghat–Lanji–Khairagarh–Raipur Greenfield Expressway will be completed by December 2025.
The 220 km long high-speed corridor, to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹10,000 crore, will soon move towards implementation. Gadkari’s announcement sparked widespread joy across the region. Locals expressed gratitude towards the Union Minister and MP Santosh Pandey, hoping that not only will the DPR be finalized by December 2025, but construction work will also commence soon thereafter.
Why It Matters
The Greenfield Expressway will open a new path for economic development in the region, create opportunities for tourism, ensure faster and safer connectivity between the two states, and generate significant employment opportunities at the local level.
A Boon for the University
The corridor also holds importance for the Indira Kala Sangeet University in Khairagarh, established in 1956 and Asia’s first university dedicated to Indian arts and music. Until now, the university largely depended on the Nagpur route. With this new expressway, Khairagarh will gain direct connectivity, benefiting both the university and the surrounding region.
Aslo read- https://www.btnewsindia.com/गायत्री-विद्यापीठ-के-विद/ https://www.btnewsindia.com/शब्दों-का-इस्तेमाल-संभाल/
Dual Advantage for the State
Santosh Pandey’s initiative will provide dual benefits not only to Khairagarh but also to the entire state. The expressway will eventually link with the Bharatmala Project connecting Raipur to Visakhapatnam, offering seamless access from Khairagarh–Rajnandgaon to Visakhapatnam and opening new avenues for trade and business.
Another Gift: 150 km Four-Lane Road from Chilphi–Kawardha Border to Jabalpur
During the Parliament session, another long-standing demand raised by MP Santosh Pandey was also approved by the Central Government. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the efforts of Minister Nitin Gadkari, the construction of a 150 km long four-lane road from the Chilphi–Kawardha border to Jabalpur has been sanctioned. The project will cost around ₹2,500 crore.
Expected Benefits
The project will ensure smooth connectivity between Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, reduce travel time significantly, boost trade and industry, create employment opportunities for the youth, and promote tourism in Kawardha and the surrounding region.
