CM hails Rs 758cr nod for NH-46 tiger corridor four-laning

Bhopal: CM Mohan Yadav on Saturday thanked PM Narendra Modi after the Centre cleared Rs 758 crore for four-laning a 22-km stretch of the Itarsi–Betul section on National Highway-46, a key tiger corridor.Yadav said the central govt's approval for the four-laning of this section would help in development in the region. "The four-lane highway will facilitate faster movement of passenger and goods vehicles, improve access to civic services and facilities and accelerate regional development," he said.The region approved for the four-lane project is a major agricultural hub and is also rich in natural mineral resources such as coal, copper, graphite, and lead-zinc.As part of the project, 11 special underpasses and overpasses will be constructed to enable the safe movement of wildlife across the road, which will significantly reduce road accidents in nearby forest areas. With the upgradation of the remaining 22-km stretch, the entire Gwalior–Betul corridor will become a four-lane highway. This will reduce travel time, improve road safety in hilly areas, and promote eco-tourism in Madhav National Park, Ratapani, and the Satpura Tiger Reserve.The national highway further connects Betul directly to Nagpur and plays an important role in linking north and south India.