Centre asks MP to improve connectivity of DMIC industrial hubs

NEW DELHI: The Union Government has asked Madhya Pradesh to improve road connectivity of four industrial regions proposed in the state under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) to kickstart the ambitious $90 bn project.

In a communication to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said road connectivity of the four industrial regions of Madhya Pradesh (Shajapur-Dewas; Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow; Neemuch-Nayagaon and Ratlan-Nagda) under the DMIC project need to be improved.

Nath said transport connectivity can be improved by four laning the Dewas-Sehore-Bhopal stretch of NH 86 extension and the road connecting Jaora on NH 79 with Maksi.

He also suggested improving connectivity of Indore with Mumbai.

"I suggest that between Indore and Nashik, the road link be similarly converted into an expressway with the Madhya Pradesh government taking responsibility of developing it between Indore and Shirpur on the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border and for the remaining portion up to Nashik being so developed," Nath said in his letter.

The DMIC project being built with Japanese assistance was originally planned to pass through Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The route of the corridor was realigned to include Madhya Pradesh, Nath's home state.

Nath has also written to Minister for Shipping, Transport and Highways T R Baalu, stating that the government has accorded in-principle approval to the DMIC project.