Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approves ₹3,960 Crore for Seoni-Balaghat Highway Four-Laning
The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved an estimated ₹3,960.09 crore for four-laning the 91.64-km Seoni-Balaghat section of State Highway-7. The project will develop the corridor as a four-lane road with paved shoulders under the hybrid annuity model. The route connects Seoni and Balaghat districts and provides links towards Nagpur, Gondia, Mandla and Bhandara.
Of the total approved cost, the financial cost is pegged at ₹3,548.93 crore. The state will provide ₹474.38 crore upfront, while ₹2,253.39 crore will be paid through half-yearly annuities from the state budget over a 15-year operational period. An additional ₹501.16 crore has been approved for land acquisition, supervision and other pre-construction works.
The upgraded corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Balaghat's mining and trading centres and nearby markets, and support faster movement of agricultural produce and minerals. The route will also improve connectivity with neighbouring Maharashtra and provide access to major district roads and regional markets.