The long drive along India’s eastern coast is set to become significantly faster as the Raipur–Visakhapatnam economic corridor approaches completion. The 464-km six-lane access-controlled highway will begin operation as a highway which will reduce travel time from 12 hours to 6 to 7 hours two times less than the current duration.

The corridor establishes a major achievement for Chhattisgarh’s roadway system because it contains the state’s first six-lane “eco-corridor.” The 2.79-km twin-tube tunnel serves as the main feature of the project which connects two points through hilly terrain while protecting tiger habitats in the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve.

The project which the Visakhapatnam port connects with central India through a high-speed logistics spine requires environmental-sensitive infrastructure development during its ₹16,491 crore construction period.

The highway runs through Chhattisgarh for approximately 125 kilometers which officials have divided into three development packages that extend from Jhanki to Marangpuri with total project costs reaching ₹4,146 crore. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials report that the entire project has achieved 70% construction progress which allows vehicles to travel at maximum speeds of 100 kmph and they expect to finish work on the project within two years.

The corridor contains wildlife protection features which provide a special benefit to its users. The system will contain 28 monkey canopies and eight elephant overbridges which will operate in Dhamtari as well as 19 animal passages which will enable tigers bears and other animal species to move between areas. The safety system includes underpasses and critical zone fencing and monitoring cameras and devices which help prevent collisions.

The corridor provides time savings which enable fuel saving and emission reduction when compared to existing routes. The corridor enables better freight movement which includes minerals such as iron ore towards the coast. The system will enhance tribal and aspirational district connectivity for Dhamtari and Kanker and Bastar and Kondagaon through its development.