Madhya Pradesh Government Sanctions ₹1,757 Crore for Bhopal-Vidisha Four-Lane Road.

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet recently approved the ₹1,757.55-crore Bhopal-Vidisha four-lane project and extended toll collection on the Bhopal Bypass until 2031 ahead of its proposed expansion to six lanes.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Minister Uday Pratap Singh said the 44.83-km Bhopal-Vidisha road would be widened from two to four lanes with paved shoulders as part of infrastructure development for the proposed Bhopal metropolitan region.

The project will strengthen connectivity between Bhopal and Vidisha and improve links with nearby cities, Singh said.

The road will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation will bear 40% of the construction cost, including GST, from the State Highway Fund. The remaining 60% will be paid from the state budget through half-yearly annuities over 15 years.

The Cabinet also approved user-fee collection on the 51.963-km Bhopal Bypass from July 19, 2026, to December 31, 2031. The bypass is proposed to be widened from four to six lanes, with the Public Works Department authorised to extend the toll period by another five years.

₹44,515 crore approved for health programmes

The Cabinet approved ₹44,515.13 crore for the continuation of major health programmes from April 2026 to March 2031. The programmes include the National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, coverage for non-SECC beneficiaries, disease-control initiatives and safety and sanitation measures at health institutions.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also said the Cabinet reviewed the state’s rainfall situation, noting that Madhya Pradesh had received around 15% below-normal rainfall.

The Cabinet further sanctioned ₹918 crore for continuation of the Forest Department’s dividend distribution scheme for Joint Forest Management Committees until 2030-31.

Security, tourism and research initiatives

The government plans to expand the State Industrial Security Force for industrial areas and key installations. Khandwa will get one of the three proposed units, Singh said.

He added that 27,534 police personnel across 58 cadres have been promoted, creating vacancies for fresh recruitment.

The Cabinet extended until August 14 the tenure of the judicial inquiry commission headed by former High Court judge Subhash Kakde, which is probing the May 14 Tokankala fire tragedy in Dewas.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will partner Tata STRIVE to train at least 1,000 homestay owners.

The Cabinet also allotted 20 hectares at Bhaukhedi village in Sehore district on permanent lease to the National Soybean Research Institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).