The Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway is an under-construction economic corridor in India that will connect the central state of Chhattisgarh with the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, passing through Odisha in the east. The project was proposed in 2014 and got an approval under the Bharatmala Pariyojana in 2017. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the expressway project in November 2022.
Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway: Key facts
| Proposed | 2014 |
| Approved | 2017 |
| Scheme | Bharatmala Pariyojana |
| Owner | National Highways Authority of India |
| Total length | 464 km |
State-wise break-up
| Chhattisgarh | 124 km |
| Odisha | 240 km |
| Andhra Pradesh | 100 km |
| Lane | Six |
| Cost | Rs 20,000 Crore |
| Starting point | Kurud, Raipur |
| End point | Visakhapatnam Port, Visakhapatnam |
| Completion deadline | March 2024 |
Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway: Project details
Traversing through India’s east Coast, the expressway will be part of the National Highway-30 (NH-30), NH-130C, and NH-26. Spanning 464 km, the six-lane road project is expected to reduce the distance between the two cities by 130 km. Consequently, it will cut travel time from 14 hours to just seven hours.
Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway: Project cost
Divided into 19 packages, the strategic road project will connect a mineral rich region in India with a port city. To be built at the cost of more than Rs 20,000 Crore, the project was approved under the government’s Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I.
Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway route in Chhattisgarh
| Raipur |
| Kundel |
| Naharpur |
| Sarona |
| Mukundpur Road |
| Keskal |
| Salna |
Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway route in Odisha
| Nabarangpur district |
| Sunapali |
| Raighar |
| Umerkote |
| Dabugaon |
| Papadahandi |
| Nowrangpur |
| Koraput district |
| Kotpad |
| Gaudaguda |
| Borigumma |
| Raniguda |
| Koraput |
| Sunabeda |
| Pottangi |
| Ondarangi |
Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway route in Andhra Pradesh
| Vizianagaram district |
| Salur |
| Gajapathinagaram |
| Vizianagaram |
| Sabbavaram-Anandapuram |
| Anakapalle-Rajapulova Road |
Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway: Impact on economy, real estate
The Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor will provide fast connectivity between the industrial nodes of Chhattisgarh and Odisha to the Visakhapatnam Port and the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway. It will also improve connectivity to tribal and backward areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. By providing connectivity to three states in the country — Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh — the road project will propel growth in various sectors, including tourism, manufacturing, and ancillary industries.
“The Raipur-Vishakhapatnam Economic Corridor will become a new lifeline of this region as the journey between Raipur and Visakhapatnam will be reduced to half. The six-lane road will connect the paddy belt of Dhamtari, the bauxite belt of Kanker and the richness of handicrafts of Kondagaon to other parts of the country,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while launching the project in Raipur in July this year.
He also appreciated the construction of tunnels and animal passes for the convenience of wildlife along the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhamtari in Chhattisgarh.
By providing hassle-free and smooth flow of traffic for faster evacuation of cargo, the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor will also positively impact the real estate value along the region it passes.
FAQs
What is the total length of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway?
The total length of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway is 464.662 kilometre.
Which states will be covered by the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway?
The Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway will cover Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
What is the cost of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway project?
The estimated cost of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway project is Rs 20,000 crore.
How many lanes are there in the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway?
There will be six lanes in the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway.
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