Madhya Pradesh
President Lays Virtual Foundation Stone of Two Projects in Madhya Pradesh
- 17 Nov 2022
- 3 min read
Why In News?
On November 15, 2022, President Draupadi Murmu laid the virtual foundation stone of the Ratapani-Obaidullaganj-Itarsi Four lane Project (NH-46) of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Maximum Microvile Containment Laboratory (BSL 4) at the Defense Research and Development Institute, Gwalior, Ministry of Defense did.
Key Points
- The lab, costing around Rs 300 crore, will help in meeting challenges like Covid-19. Important research can be done here.
- The project is a part of the NH-46 (old NH-69) Obaidullaganj to Betul Inter Corridor route in the Bharatmala project, which gives connectivity from Bhopal to Nagpur.
- 12.38 km of this route. The Ratapani section falls under the Wildlife Sanctuary and the Ratapani section is part of the Bhopal-Nagpur corridor.
- The project includes necessary measures to protect wildlife and environment. The provisions of animal underpass in the wildlife sanctuary area will make it easier for wild animals to move.
- The total length of the project is 12.38 km. is. Its construction will cost Rs 417 crore 51 lakh. The construction work of the project will be completed in a period of 18 months.
- To reduce the impact of widening of this route on the movement/habitat of wild animals, 5 large animal underpasses (100 m, 420 m, 1226 m, 65 m. and 65 m) and 2 small animal underpasses (10 m) and 10 m) Understructures will be built. A minor bridge and two vehicle underpasses are also to be constructed in this project.
- The major benefit of this project will be better connectivity to Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Betul and Nagpur. Also, heavy traffic will facilitate road users.
- Better connectivity to Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and Satpura Tiger Reserve will boost the tourism sector and increase employment opportunities. While this will reduce pollution with saving time and fuel, it will also improve the safety of road users. With the completion of the project, the work of rapid social and economic prosperity of the people of the region will be done.
