New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the approval of a ₹631.73 crore highway project aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

The project includes the construction of a 15.5-km four-lane southern bypass for Jhansi, along with a link connecting National Highway 44 and National Highway 39 from Bangay Khas to Orchha Tigela.

Jhansi, located at the junction of multiple key national highways — including National Highway 27 (East–West Corridor), NH-44 (North–South Corridor), NH-39, NH-539, and NH-552 — currently witnesses heavy traffic movement through its congested city centre. The situation is further expected to intensify with the development of a new industrial township, Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA), which will generate substantial freight traffic.

According to the minister, the proposed southern bypass will provide a seamless alternative route for inter-city traffic passing around Jhansi, significantly reducing travel time and easing vehicular pressure within the city. It is also expected to improve the movement of goods between peninsular, central, and eastern parts of India by streamlining connectivity across the five intersecting national highways.

The bypass will culminate near Orchha Tigela, close to the historic town of Orchha, which is on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list. The region is home to prominent attractions such as Jahangir Mahal, Ram Raja Temple, and the Betwa Wildlife Sanctuary.

Improved highway access is expected to boost tourism in the Orchha region while supporting local economic growth and regional development. DeshBharat