The project was first conceived in 2012 but due to delays in land acquisition and the bankruptcy of the awarded contractor delayed the project for many years, In 2016 NHAI re-started the project and hired three contractors to complete the 127 km highway project. The highway was completed at the cost of 15.50 billion INR in May 2019. Raipur and Bilaspur are two significant Urban agglomeration and industrial cities. The road had been a most awaited project for the state government and its public for longtime since Chhattisgarh became a state in 2000.
Salient Features & Gallery
Some data about the Raipur - Bilaspur Expressway:[2]
Length - 127 km (78.9 mi)
Right of Way - 52 m (56.9 yd)
Number of Lanes - 4 lanes
Type of Pavement - Rigid (Concrete)
Maximum Axle Load (Design) - 20 tonnes (22 short tons; 20 long tons)
Bypasses - 7
Interchange - 2
Main Toll Plaza - 3
Underpass - 35
Railway Over Bridge - 1
Major Bridge - 4
Minor Bridge - 19
Culverts - 172
Vehicular Underpasses - 22
Bus bays - 15
Truck lay by bay - 2
Flyover - 3
The Expressway has SOS booths along the route besides a toll-free helpline. CCTV cameras are installed every 5 km (3.1 mi) along the expressway for safety and accident assistance.
Whole 127 KM stretch which starts from Tatibandh chowk in Raipur and ends in Darrighat in Bilaspur. Its construction package was divided into three patches:
Bilaspur- Sargaon (36 km) (4- lane)
Sargaon - Simga (43 km) (4-lane)
Simga - Raipur (48 km) (4-6 lane)
This highway is said to be one of backbone infrastructures in state which connects entire northern part of the state to its capital city, Raipur.
