Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway Route Map, Cost, and Project Details (Bharatmala Pariyojana 2025)
The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway is one of the most important upcoming highway projects in India. This six-lane greenfield expressway will connect Raipur in Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, passing through parts of Odisha. It is being developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I as an economic corridor, designed to promote industrial development, improve logistics efficiency, and boost connectivity between central and eastern India.
Overview of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway Project
The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway project covers a total distance of 464 kilometers, connecting several key cities, industrial zones, and underdeveloped regions. Once completed, it will significantly reduce travel time between Raipur and Visakhapatnam, strengthen trade routes, and enhance overall economic activity in the region.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 464.662 km |
| Estimated Project Cost | ₹20,000 Crore |
| Number of Lanes | 6 Lanes |
| Starting Point | Kurud, near Raipur (Chhattisgarh) |
| End Point | Visakhapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Owner / Developer | National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) |
| Construction Model | Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) |
| Expected Completion Year | 2027 |
The expressway has been planned to meet international design standards, ensuring smoother, safer, and faster travel between the three states. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared by YONGMA Engineering Co. Ltd. (South Korea) and Arkitechno Consultants, ensuring global expertise in the project design and planning.
Route Map and State-Wise Coverage
The Raipur Visakhapatnam Expressway route map passes through three Indian states — Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. It will cover 124 km in Chhattisgarh, 240 km in Odisha, and 100 km in Andhra Pradesh. The route has been selected to provide the shortest and most efficient connection between the two major cities.
1. Route in Chhattisgarh
In Chhattisgarh, the expressway starts near Raipur and passes through major districts like Dhamtari, Kanker, and Kondagaon.
It runs between NH 30 and NH 130C, covering important towns and rural regions.
| District | Major Locations Covered |
|---|---|
| Raipur | Kurud, Abhanpur |
| Dhamtari | Kundel |
| Kanker | Naharpur, Sarona, Mukundpur Road |
| Kondagaon | Keskal, Salna |
2. Route in Odisha
In Odisha, the expressway covers two major districts — Nabarangpur and Koraput — connecting them with cities and villages that were previously difficult to access.
| District | Cities and Areas Covered |
|---|---|
| Nabarangpur | Sunapali, Raighar, Umerkote, Dabugaon, Papadahandi, Nowrangpur |
| Koraput | Kotpad, Gaudaguda, Borigumma, Koraput, Sunabeda, Pottangi, Ondarangi |
3. Route in Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Pradesh section mainly passes through Vizianagaram district, ending near Visakhapatnam Port, one of India’s busiest ports on the eastern coast.
| District | Locations Covered |
|---|---|
| Vizianagaram | Salur, Gajapathinagaram, Vizianagaram, Sabbavaram, Anandapuram |
The expressway ends at State Highway-9 (Anakapalle–Rajapulova Road), providing direct connectivity to the Visakhapatnam Port, which is a key trade hub for mineral and industrial goods.
Project Cost and Funding Details - Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway
The total cost of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway is estimated at ₹20,000 crore. This includes the cost of construction, land acquisition, and environmental management.
The cost distribution across the three states is shown below:
| State | Approx. Length (km) | Estimated Cost (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Chhattisgarh | 124 km | 4,500 crore |
| Odisha | 240 km | 10,000 crore |
| Andhra Pradesh | 100 km | 5,500 crore |
| Total | 464 km | 20,000 crore |
Project Timeline and Development Phases - Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway
| Year / Month | Project Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Project proposed by MoRTH |
| 2017 | Government of India approved the plan |
| February 2020 | Added to Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I |
| March 2021 | DPR completed by YONGMA–Arkitechno |
| April 2021 | Tender process started |
| October 2021 | HG Infra won two packages in Odisha worth ₹2,297 crore |
| November 2022 | Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| 2027 (Expected) | Expressway expected to be operational |
Package-Wise Construction Details
To ensure faster development, the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway is divided into 19 construction packages. Each package is assigned to a different contractor, responsible for their specific section.
| Package No. | Section / Stretch | Length (km) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhanpur – Magerlod | 42.852 |
| 2 | Sargi – Basanwahi | 56.7 |
| 3 | Basanwahi – Marangpuri | 25.161 |
| 4 | Dhanara – Hatibena | 21.889 |
| 5 | Hatibena – Badakumari | 32.5 |
| 6 | Badakumari – Karki | 47.5 |
| 7 | Karki – Kaliagura | 22.5 |
| 8 | Borigumma – Dasamantpur | 44 |
| 9 | Koraput – Pottangi | 45.5 |
| 15 | Aluru – Jakkuva | 31.767 |
| 16 | Jakkuva – Korlam | 24.3 |
| 17 | Korlam – Kantakapalle | 24 |
| 18 | Kantakapalle – Sabbavaram | 19.562 |
Some well-known contractors involved include Adani Transport, Dilip Buildcon Ltd., NKC Projects, Max Infra, Barbrik, and Shalimar Corp.
Engineering Achievement: Chhattisgarh’s First Highway Tunnel
A major highlight of this expressway project is the completion of Chhattisgarh’s first-ever national highway tunnel, located between the Kanker and Kondagaon districts, near the Odisha border.
The tunnel, part of NH-130CD, is 2.79 kilometers long and was completed in just 12 months — a remarkable engineering feat.
This tunnel helps the expressway avoid hilly terrain and provides a smooth, safe route. The Left-Hand Side (LHS) tunnel is expected to open in early 2026, while the Right-Hand Side (RHS) tunnel will be completed by mid-2026.
Once both tunnels are operational, the total travel time between Raipur and Visakhapatnam will reduce from 13 hours to nearly 6–7 hours.
Key Benefits of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway
The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway project will bring massive benefits in terms of connectivity, development, and economic growth.
1. Reduced Travel Time
Currently, the journey between Raipur and Visakhapatnam takes around 13 hours. After the expressway’s completion, this will reduce to just 8–9 hours, saving both time and fuel.
2. Economic Growth and Industrial Development
The expressway is a vital part of the Bharatmala economic corridors and will play a major role in connecting industries, ports, and logistic parks across three states. It will also contribute to India’s goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025.
3. Real Estate and Urban Growth
Areas surrounding the expressway will witness a real estate boom. Developers are expected to build new housing projects, plots, warehouses, and commercial spaces along the corridor, especially near Raipur, Koraput, and Vizianagaram.
4. Employment and Education Opportunities
The project will open new avenues for jobs in construction, logistics, retail, and education. Many new schools, colleges, and hospitals are expected to come up near the expressway route.
5. Environmental Development
To maintain environmental balance, over 31,000 trees will be planted along the route. Grass carpeting and hedge plantations will help reduce light intensity for wildlife and improve the overall green cover.
Future Connectivity Plans - Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway
The government also plans to connect this expressway with several other major national corridors for enhanced connectivity:
-
Eastern Economic Corridor (Raxaul to Odisha)
-
Trans–Haryana Expressway and Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor
-
NCR Counter Magnet Cities (Bhatinda–Hisar–Jaipur–Gwalior)
-
Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway and Pathankot–Ajmer Expressway
These links will create a continuous trade network between northern, central, and eastern India.
Conclusion - Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway
The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway is a crucial infrastructure project that will transform the transport and economic landscape of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
By reducing travel time, boosting industries, and improving trade logistics, it will play a major role in India’s economic growth story.
Once completed by 2027, the expressway will not only connect regions but also bring opportunities for development, employment, and investment across the central and eastern parts of the country.
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