The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has granted in-principle approval for the Atal Progress-way, also known as the Chambal Expressway. This significant infrastructure project aims to connect the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway with the Bundelkhand Expressway, traversing through Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
The 420-km expressway, a combination of upgraded existing highways and newly constructed greenfield sections, is estimated to cost approximately ₹14,000 crore. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed the approval after a review meeting attended by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav and Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will be responsible for constructing the six-lane, access-controlled corridor. Officials have stated that the project's alignment was revised to avoid forest and wildlife areas, as well as the Chambal ravines, addressing previous environmental concerns. Environmental clearances have been secured following these modifications.
The Atal Progress-way, also referred to as the Chambal Expressway, is a planned access-controlled greenfield expressway. It will connect Kota in Rajasthan with Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, passing through Madhya Pradesh. The 404-km route will pass through several districts including Sheopur, Morena and Bhind in Madhya Pradesh. The expressway is expected to reduce the current 10-11 hour travel time to just 5-6 hours.
The Atal Progress-way aims to stimulate economic development in the backward regions of the Chambal and Gwalior divisions. The project will improve connectivity and facilitate faster movement of goods and passengers. It will also provide connectivity to the Agra-Jhansi, Kota-Jhansi-Kanpur, and Agra-Kanpur highways. The seamless connectivity will provide better access to vehicles as a link to the National Highways.
The project is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It was approved by the Government of India and included in Phase-I of the project in August 2021. The Cabinet of Madhya Pradesh approved the project in October 2021. Construction will be four-lane with the possibility of expanding to six lanes in the future. It will be an all-weather, high-speed access-controlled expressway.
The Atal Progress-way is expected to enhance basic amenities in villages along the route, improve social conditions, boost tourism, generate employment and improve the economy in areas like agriculture, commerce, education and health. The project is expected to be completed by 2027.
