Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari stated that building a developed and self-reliant India is not merely a dream but a firm resolve, and that the entire nation is working together with unity of purpose to achieve it. He said that India will be developed and self-reliant by 2047, and in this Grand National endeavour of holistic development, Madhya Pradesh will make the biggest contribution.

Union Minister Shri Gadkari addressed an inauguration and Bhoomi Poojan event of various road projects held on Saturday in Vidisha. He said that with the right leadership and a committed government, Madhya Pradesh will be transformed into a progressive, prosperous, and affluent state.

Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan jointly inaugurated and performed Bhoomi Poojan for eight road projects worth ₹4,400 crore in Vidisha to accelerate development in Madhya Pradesh.

₹1 Lakh Crore Worth of New Road Projects Approved for Madhya Pradesh

Union Road Transport Minister Shri Gadkari said that the Central Government will extend full support to strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s development. While inaugurating and laying foundation stones for the projects, he approved new road projects worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore for the state. He added that national highway projects worth ₹2 lakh crore are already underway in Madhya Pradesh under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Farmers to Become Food, Energy, Fuel and Asphalt Providers

Shri Gadkari said that Madhya Pradesh is a leading state in agriculture, with its basmati rice and Sharbati wheat renowned worldwide. He praised the efforts of Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the welfare of farmers. Union Minister Shri Gadkari said that the goal is to make farmers not only food providers but also providers of energy, aviation fuel, and asphalt. He cited examples of ethanol production by farmers in Nagpur and said India currently imports oil worth ₹22 lakh crore. Union Minister Shri Gadkari expressed happiness at seeing electric vehicles at Bhopal Airport and noted that work on hydrogen-powered vehicles is underway in the country.

Leadership Can Turn Waste into Wealth

Union Minister Shri Gadkari said that agricultural machinery should operate on fuel produced by farmers. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, all possible efforts are being made to increase farmers’ incomes. He emphasised that there is no shortage of funds for development in the country, only a shortage of dedicated and honest workers committed to villages, the poor and farmers. He said that India aims to become the world’s third-largest economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Turning knowledge into wealth is the key to success, he added, noting that even waste can be transformed into wealth with the right leadership.

Massive Highway Network to be Built in Madhya Pradesh

Union Minister Shri Gadkari announced that road and highway projects worth ₹1 lakh crore were approved in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, while projects worth ₹2 lakh crore are already in progress. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, industry, trade, exports, and employment will expand, making Madhya Pradesh a progressive and prosperous state. He assured that the Road Transport Ministry will leave no stone unturned in the state’s development and will build an extensive highway network.

Key Announcements by the Union Road Transport Minister

The Union Minister made several major announcements for Madhya Pradesh in Vidisha include A new Greenfield Expressway from Sagar–Vidisha–Kota to be built at a cost of ₹16,000 crore, reducing the distance between Sagar and Kota by 75 km, Nasrullaganj (Bhairunda)–Budhni Road to be developed as a four-lane national highway, ₹4,500 crore to be provided for the construction of 50 roads across Madhya Pradesh; additional funds to be sanctioned as required, Construction of a Northern Bypass in Vidisha at a cost of ₹4,000 crore, Early approval for the Gwalior–Bhopal–Nagpur corridor at a cost of ₹40,000 crore, which will later connect to Hyderabad, Highways and other roads, including the Ujjain–Jhalawar route, will be constructed for Simhastha at a cost of ₹2,500 crore, ₹1,600 crore under the CRF scheme for road development in Madhya Pradesh, including ₹400 crore for the Vidisha parliamentary constituency, Five driving training centres sanctioned for the state—approval for 20 more centres to follow soon, Approval for all development works linked to the Atal Expressway, The Gopalpur–Bhairunda road to be constructed with white-topping concrete after land acquisition.

Medical College to be Established in Raisen: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Vidisha has been blessed by former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji and former External Affairs Minister late Sushma Swaraj ji. He said that under the leadership of Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the region has received continuous development initiatives. The Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh is celebrating a grand festival of development, with a mega endeavour underway to build a developed and self-reliant state. He requested the Union Minister Shri Gadkari to consider a new Greenfield Expressway from Agra–Gwalior–Bhopal–Nagpur spanning over 500 km. He also sought ₹4,500 crore for the construction of 50 roads in various regions, which was approved immediately. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav announced that a medical college will be opened in Raisen, and all necessary procedures will be initiated at the earliest.

Eight National Highway Projects to Transform Regional Development

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the eight national highway projects approved for Madhya Pradesh will significantly boost regional development, industrial expansion, ease of travel and economic growth. Being centrally located, Madhya Pradesh plays a vital role in accelerating development nationwide, he said, expressing confidence that with the Centre’s support, the state will become developed and self-reliant.

Vidisha to be Developed as a Growth Hub: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan

Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has become synonymous with development. He said that development of the Vidisha parliamentary constituency is his priority and that projects worth ₹4,400 crore have been dedicated to the region. He said the proposed Kota–Bhopal–Vidisha–Sagar Greenfield Expressway will save time and usher in a new chapter of development for the Vidisha–Sagar region. He also stressed the need for ring roads, better city connectivity, and linking rivers such as the Narmada and Betwa to complete major irrigation projects.

Strong Infrastructure is Foundation of 5 Trillion Dollar Economy

Public Works Minister Shri Rakesh Singh said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, Madhya Pradesh has been scripting a new chapter of industrial development. He added that strong infrastructure is the backbone of a $5 trillion economy, and road and highway projects are progressing rapidly under the leadership of Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari. Minister Shri Singh highlighted the need for major expressways and highways, including the Gwalior–Bhopal–Nagpur Greenfield Expressway and Ujjain–Jabalpur–Ambikapur National Highway and the Kota–Bhopal–Vidisha–Sagar Greenfield Expressway.

Additional Development Initiatives

In Vidisha, eight national highway projects worth over ₹4,400 crore, covering a total length of 181 km, were inaugurated and launched, strengthening connectivity across Central India and the Bundelkhand region. Three driving training centres—one in Vidisha and two in Sagar—were inaugurated, including a ₹2.56 crore centre in Vidisha. Two road projects spanning 39 km were inaugurated at a cost of ₹477 crore, including a four-lane road through Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, enhancing road safety, reducing pollution and minimising human–wildlife conflict. A 27 km Dehgaon–Bamhori road costing over ₹59 crore was inaugurated, benefiting farmers and the general public.

CM Greets and Interacts with Public in Roadshow

A grand roadshow was held in Vidisha, during which Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan greeted citizens from an open vehicle. The leaders received a warm welcome with flower showers, reflecting the festive atmosphere. Several ministers, MPs, MLAs and a large number of local citizens were present on the occasion.