Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor to Cut Travel Time to 5 Hours by 2026

The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor, being developed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, is emerging as a game changer for people, industries and logistics across Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Built at a cost of Rs 16,482 crore, the 6-lane greenfield corridor is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

The project will reduce the existing 597 km route via NH-26 to 465 km, saving 132 km in distance and nearly seven hours of travel time. What currently takes about 12 hours will soon take just five, bringing major fuel savings and lowering transportation costs for both passenger and freight movement.

The corridor will directly connect industries in Chhattisgarh and Odisha to the Visakhapatnam Port and the Chennai–Kolkata National Highway, sharply improving export access, supply-chain efficiency and logistics competitiveness under the PM Gati Shakti vision. It is also expected to boost tourism, create jobs and drive real estate development across the region.

The 6-lane Greenfield Corridor links Chhattisgarh, Odisha & Andhra Pradesh
It’s a 465-kilometre-long National Highway
Will help save 7 hours & 132 Kms of distance
To be open to the public in FY 2026-27
Faster access for tribal & remote regions

For truckers who spend nights away from home, farmers who anxiously wait for their produce to reach markets and families seeking avenues of new opportunities, this corridor feels like a path towards a more hopeful future. Vishal, a lorry owner who regularly sends goods from Raipur to Visakhapatnam, says the new corridor will drastically change the way transporters operate. “Earlier, the journey took one-and-a-half days. Now, I can start during the day and reach the destination by night,” he says. The reduction in distance, he explains, will directly translate into lower diesel consumption and less wear and tear on trucks, bringing tangible financial relief to operators like him.

Farmers are also experiencing a clear shift in their economic outlook. One farmer explains how land prices have surged ever since the greenfield highway project began. “Our land was valued at around ₹15 lakh per acre earlier. Now it is close to ₹1.5 crore. Farmers here are genuinely happy,” he says, pointing to how connectivity-led development is reshaping rural prospects.

A local resident in Vizianagaram shared an honest reflection on how the project has affected their community. “We are farmers. At first, we felt sad to give our land for the greenfield highway. It was not easy. But now, as the corridor is getting ready, we feel hopeful. Our land value has more than doubled, and we know this development will bring more opportunities for our families. What we lost is now turning into a better future,” he says. Srinivasulu, another farmer living in Jami village of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh shares his own experience. “I have given 1.10 acres of land for the greenfield highway, for which I have got fair compensation. Further, the land value of remaining land has significantly increased. Villagers and farmers of village are feeling happy about this upcoming greenfield highway,” he says.

Beyond economic benefits, the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Corridor will significantly improve mobility for tribal and remote districts such as Dhamtari, Keshkal, Kanker (Chhattisgarh), Borigumma, Nabarangpur, Koraput (Odisha), and Ramabhadrapuram, Araku (Andhra Pradesh). By bringing these regions closer to major markets and essential services, the corridor aims to integrate them more effectively into the mainstream economy. The new access-controlled, 6-lane Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor will also ease congestion on the old 2-lane NH-26, improving travel comfort and road safety. Designed for speeds of 100 km/hr, it promises greater predictability, reliability and cost-efficiency for both passengers and freight operators.

Built through 15 planned packages across three states, the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor stands as a testament to MoRTH’s commitment to developing infrastructure that transforms lives. As the project nears completion, it reflects the Ministry’s vision of building highways that not only connect places but connect possibilities for millions.