The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved proposals totalling Rs 479,900 million (mn) for state development and public welfare, and cleared a major infrastructure push for the Bhopal metropolitan region. The decisions include funding of Rs 17,575.5 million (mn) for four-laning of the Bhopal-Vidisha road and measures to collect user fees as the state plans to expand the Bhopal Bypass from four to six lanes. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and formalised by the Department of Public Relations.

The 44.83 km Bhopal-Vidisha road, designated State Highway-28, will be upgraded to a four-lane highway with paved shoulders at an approved cost of Rs 17,575.5 million (mn). The route will start at the Bhanpur T junction on Ayodhya Bypass and end at the Sanchi-Salamatpur junction on National Highway 146, connecting Bhopal and Vidisha districts via several intermediate settlements and providing improved access to the Sanchi Stupa UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the corridor at kilometre 24,550, noted the official release.

The project will be delivered under the Hybrid Annuity Model based on the Model Concession Agreement of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with 40 per cent of construction cost, including GST, financed by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation from the State Highway Fund and the remaining 60 per cent paid as semi-annual annuities over a 15-year operation period. An additional Rs 3,654.1 million (mn) has been allocated from the state budget for pre-construction activities including land acquisition and supervision.

Separately, the Cabinet authorised user-fee collection on the 51.963 km Bhopal Bypass from 19 July 2026 to 31 December 2031 to enable its upgrade from four lanes to six lanes, with the Public Works Department empowered to extend collection by a further five years. Toll revenues will be deposited into the State Highway Fund and utilised by the development corporation for highway development and maintenance, and both projects form part of broader efforts to strengthen connectivity around the capital.