Jalgaon: Jalgaon district is set to receive a major boost to its road infrastructure with the proposal of a new national highway connecting Bhusawal and Chittorgarh, which will significantly improve connectivity between Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Once approved and developed, the new highway will reduce the distance between Bhusawal and Ajmer by nearly 150 km, cutting travel time by five to six hours and making road travel to Rajasthan faster and more convenient.

The proposed corridor will run through Bhusawal, Pal, Khargone, Dhar, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Chittorgarh, with further connectivity to Pushkar and Ajmer via Bhilwara. The highway will pass through approximately 36 km in Maharashtra (Jalgaon district) and around 201 km in Madhya Pradesh, creating a direct inter-state transport link across the three states.

Significant savings in time and distance

At present, travellers between Bhusawal and Chittorgarh rely on two main routes: one via Burhanpur, Indore, Nagda, and Jawra, and another via Yawal, Chopda, Shirpur, Sendhwa, and Ratlam. Both routes exceed 600 km in length and require approximately 13 to 14 hours of travel. With the completion of the new highway, the journey is expected to be reduced to eight to nine hours, offering substantial savings in both distance and travel time.

Jalgaon emerging as a ‘highway hub’

Jalgaon district already serves as a key transport corridor, with five major national highways passing through it, including Surat–Paradip, Jalgaon–Dighi Port, Jalgaon–Manmad, Indore–Hyderabad, and Burhanpur–Ankleshwar. The Bhusawal–Chittorgarh highway will become the sixth national highway in the district, further strengthening Jalgaon’s strategic importance in regional connectivity.

Officials said the project will benefit not only commuters but also farmers, traders, and industries by enabling faster movement of agricultural produce and industrial raw materials across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Border villages are expected to witness improved accessibility, economic activity, and new employment opportunities, while Jalgaon’s markets will gain direct road links to key cities in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. DeshGujarat