Roads play a vital role in the economic development of any country or state. Since Madhya Pradesh is centrally located within the country, most of the long haul road traffic in the north-south and east-west direction in the country has to pass through the state. Moreover Madhya Pradesh, with abundant mineral resources, high growth in agricultural and industrial production, need a well developed road network to cater to the intra-state and regional traffic. There is an urgent need for improving the existing road infrastructure of the state, as its bad condition is hampering the economic and social progress of the state.

ROADS

Madhya Pradesh has a total road length of 68105.6 km.(on 31.32001) with 18 National Highways with total length of 4676 km. namely NH-3, NH-7, NH-12, NH-12A,NH-25, NH-26, NH-27, NH-59, NH-59A, NH-69, NH-75,NH-75Ext, NH-76, NH-78, NH-79, NH-86,NH-86Ext,  NH-92, passing through the state.

The roads length in the state is as under:

B.T., WBM & CLASS II ( in KM Total )

Average per 100 Sq. Km density of roads in the state is 22.14 Km as against National average of 37 Kms.

Department was provided Rs. 272.00 crores in the year 1997-98 and 98-99 for the maintenance of these roads and bridges as against requirement of Rs. 800 crores.

For construction of new roads and bridges department budget for the year 1998-99 is Rs. 112.93 crores.

ROADS TRANSPORT

The number of registered motor vehicles in the state is  29.55 lakhs in the year 2001 with an average yearly growth rate of 10.9%. The number of registered motor vehicles per thousand population in the state is 35% which is almost equal to the national average of 40% in the year 1995-96. Traffic on the roads has increased 88 times since 1956 i.e. formation of Madhya Pradesh.

DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ROAD NETWORK

State Highways and Major District Roads in the state are maintained by Public Works Department of Madhya Pradesh and National Highways within the state are maintained by the National Highway Wing of the State PWD. The Administrative setup of PWD includes one Engineer-in-Chief, 9 Chief Engineers supported by 39 Suprintending Engineers, 136 Executive Engineers and 493 Assistant Engineers. There are total 678 engineers with PWD.

The World Bank Assistance for improvement of Highways 

The State Government has obtained T.A. Loan (Technical Assistance Loan) from World Bank for carrying out feasibility study and detail Engineering for 2080 km. and 1200 km. of Highways respectively.

The feasibility study is in progress and State is likely to get a Assistance of Rs.1000 crores for development of 1200 km. of Highway network in two phases. (Phase-I - 450 kms., Phase-II - 750 kms.). The work of Phase-I is likely to be started by April 2000.

The Government of Madhya Pradesh has planed the improvement of Road network in State specially State Highways and Major district roads in a big way. The following projects are being taken up in the Institutional funding / BOT scheme :-

1. Construction of Byepass to Bhopal & Sehore town including 4 lane in Bhopal and Sehore section.

Construction of Byepass to Bhopal and Sehore towns including 4 lanning in Bhopal Sehore section is being taken up.State Govt. has given A.A. of Rs. 8950.43 Lacs. This work is being executed in 2 groups.Tenders for both groups has been sanctioned by the government. Work order for both works has been given on 22/04/2001 and are in progress. Expenditure upto 31/3/2004 is Rs. 4924.63 Lacs, and during F.Y. 2004-05 upto April 2004 is Rs. 0.28 lacs.Thus total expenditure on this project is Rs.4924.91 lacs. The  project will be completed by the end of December 2004.

2. Construction of Byepass to Dewas town (BOT)

Construction of Byepass to Dewas town connecting Ujjain road & NH-3 is proposed to be taken up under BOT scheme. The Project envolves construction of 21 kms. long Byepass with a cost of Rs. 35 crores.

3. Construction of R.O.B. at (Habibganj) Bhopal (BOT) 

Construction of R.O.B. at Delhi-Bombay main line is proposed to be constructed in Bhopal City area, which will facilitate movement of traffic on NH-12 and also ensure free movement of traffic in the town portion. The length of the Bridge is 800 mtrs. and estimated cost is Rs. 8 crore. The entrepreneur shall also be allowed to carry out commercial exploration below the bridge by constructing shops/godowns.

The State Government is releasing Bonds for Rs. 500 crores for carrying out improvement of existing State Highways network in the state. The projects are planed to be taken up and completed within a period of 1½ year. The priority routes are identified for improvement (detail Annexure "A" enclosed).

The State is having a total network of 4676 kms. of National Highways which need improvement / strengthening.

The State has better availability of power as compared to other states and good atmosphere and unlimited prospects for Entrepreneur for taking up the work. Present Govt. is a stable Govt. In comparision to other states labour problem is not there.