The Madhya Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav, approved a sweeping ₹10,630 crore package on Tuesday, covering road infrastructure, healthcare, cyber security and welfare schemes across Madhya Pradesh.
Twelve highways to get government-backed loan
A still from the Cabinet meeting
The state's Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) will draw a ₹4,600 crore loan from NABARD's Infrastructure Development Assistance scheme, with the state government standing as guarantor. The funding will finance twelve routes, including the Bhopal-Vidisha road, the East Bhopal bypass upgrade to six lanes, and stretches connecting Neemuch, Mandsaur, Indore, Dewas and Datia, among others.
In return, ownership of 22 major state roads will transfer to MPRDC at nominal value, with toll collections repaying the loan under a "just in time" disbursement model.
Seoni-Balaghat corridor gets ₹3,960 crore
A separate approval covers the 91.64km Seoni-Balaghat road, to be built as a four-lane hybrid annuity project at a cost of nearly ₹3,960 crore. The route links mineral-rich Balaghat and the Malajkhand copper belt to Kanha and Pench tiger reserves, and is expected to benefit up to 10 lakh residents through improved connectivity to Chhattisgarh.
Welfare and healthcare push
Nineteen welfare schemes run by the Social Justice and Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Department received ₹1,740 crore for continued operation until 2031, supporting the elderly, disabled, destitute, transgender persons and those recovering from addiction, alongside marriage assistance schemes for daughters.
MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav presiding over the Cabinet meeting
Meanwhile, Ujjain's Dhanwantari University of Health Sciences will fill 244 posts; 154 regular, one contractual and 89 outsourced, to strengthen administration of medical education across 31 districts in the Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Narmadapuram and Chambal divisions.
Boost for cyber security
The State Computer Security Incident Response Operation Centre will receive ₹80 crore through 2031, including 25 new posts for forensic and technical staff. MP-CERT will also recruit ten engineering graduates annually as trainees, offering a monthly stipend of ₹25,000, to build a skilled cyber security workforce.
Land policy and Delhi guest house upgrades
The cabinet doubled compensation multipliers for privately owned agricultural land acquired through mutual consent, revising the 2014 land purchase policy. Separately, ₹250.67 crore was sanctioned for Madhya Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi and its associated offices through 2031.
Cricketers honoured for World Cup gold
Finally, ministers formalised a ₹78 lakh reward for the state's blind women cricketers, Sunita Sarathe, Durga Yebale and Sushma Patel, who helped India beat Nepal to win the T20 World Cup (Blind) in Colombo last November, along with their three coaches.