NHAI Initiates DPR for Strategic Six-Laning of NH-52 Corridor

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the six-laning of the Indore–Khalghat–Sendhwa–Maharashtra section of National Highway 52, marking a significant infrastructure upgrade along the crucial Agra–Mumbai transport corridor.

The proposed expansion will cover nearly 160 kilometres and is aimed at improving regional connectivity, enhancing logistics efficiency, and accommodating growing traffic volumes on one of India’s busiest freight routes. According to NHAI, the DPR process is currently in progress, while construction will be implemented in phases after the report is finalised. The project is being planned as a long-term solution to ease increasing vehicular congestion and ensure smoother traffic movement in the future.

The National Highway 52 corridor serves as an important link connecting northern, western and southern parts of the country, including major commercial centres such as Indore and Mumbai. The highway currently handles nearly 40,000 vehicles every day, with substantial cargo traffic, making the proposed six-lane expansion essential for improving road safety, travel reliability and transport efficiency.

As part of the plan, difficult ghat stretches including Bheru Ghat, Bakaner Ghat and Bijasan Ghat will also be widened to six lanes. NHAI said earlier four-lane development in these sections had already improved safety through measures such as road realignment, slope balancing and carriageway expansion, with additional upgrades now planned under the new project.

A major component of the proposal includes the construction of a parallel bridge over the Narmada River near Khalghat to ease traffic load on the existing structure and maintain uninterrupted six-lane connectivity along the route. The project also proposes bypasses and service roads in congested urban areas, along with flyovers and underpasses at key junctions to separate local and highway traffic and reduce bottlenecks.

NHAI said special focus is being placed on accident-prone blackspots, especially around Bijasan Ghat. Planned improvements include redesigned curves, better drainage systems, advanced road safety infrastructure and modern traffic management solutions to improve commuter safety.

The upgraded highway is expected to complement National Highway 47 and the proposed Indore Western Bypass, strengthening logistics and transport connectivity across the region. Industrial hubs such as the Pithampur Industrial Area are also expected to benefit from reduced logistics costs and improved supply chain movement.

Once completed, the six-lane corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Indore and the Maharashtra border towards Mumbai, while lowering fuel consumption, transportation costs and emissions. NHAI said the project will play a major role in transforming the route into a safer, high-capacity transport corridor that supports trade, tourism, industry and logistics growth across central and western India.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.