Gwalior to get MP’s first elevated road:To stretch 13.85-km over Swarn Rekha river with 293 pillars, 14 loops

On the lines of Delhi’s Ring Road, the state’s first elevated road is being built in Gwalior. It is expected to be completed by 2027. It will also be the first elevated road in Madhya Pradesh to be constructed over a river. The elevated road starts near Jalalpur Tiraaha on Morena Road and will extend up to near Shivpuri Link Road in Girwai. Built on 293 pillars, the elevated road will run for 13.85 km — the same length as the Swarn Rekha river. A total of 14 loops are being built on the elevated road so that city traffic can enter and exit easily. The project is considered the dream project of Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Around 60% of the work has been completed so far. The road is expected to be ready for people by next year. Will save at least one hour of time Once the elevated road is completed and traffic starts moving on it, it is expected to significantly boost the city’s mobility. Vehicles travelling from Morena to Shivpuri will enter the elevated road from Jalalpur Tiraaha and exit at Girwai to directly head towards Shivpuri or Jhansi. They will not need to pass through the city centre. This will save the time usually lost in traffic jams while entering the city. At least one hour of travel time is expected to be saved. The road is also special because it is the only elevated road in Madhya Pradesh being built over a river. Such roads are usually seen in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. In Gwalior, it is being built right above the Swarn Rekha river (Swarn Rekha drain) passing through the city. Once completed, it is also expected to enhance the city’s landscape. Elevated road will connect to main route The elevated road over the Swarn Rekha river is being connected to key routes of the city so that vehicles can access the elevated road and also descend onto the existing roads. Connectivity will be provided from Jiwajiganj, Chhaparwala Pur, Phoolbagh near the Lakshmibai memorial, and the Hazira area. These places witness heavy traffic load and also serve as diversion points for other routes. The elevated road will start from Hanuman Bandh and pass through Taraganj, Janakganj, Gendewali Road, Shinde Ki Chhawani, Phoolbagh, Tansen Nagar, Ranipura, Hazira and Machhli Mandi Road before reaching Jalalpur Tiraaha.
Traffic will reduce in Gwalior, Lashkar and Phoolbagh The elevated road is expected to bring a major change in the city’s traffic system. Currently, road conditions in many parts of the city are poor. Over the past six years, more than 1.25 lakh four-wheelers have been added to the roads. This has led to frequent traffic jams at several locations. Once the elevated road is completed, people will get relief from daily traffic congestion. Traffic load in Gwalior, Lashkar and Phoolbagh areas is expected to reduce by nearly 50%. 293 pillars, 108 girders, 14 loops The elevated road project, being developed on the lines of Delhi’s Ring Road, has undergone several changes depending on time and construction challenges. The 13.85-km-long road is being built with 293 pillars, 14 loops and 108 girders. It is not just a road but a new corridor connecting five different circles of the city. When the project started, 19 loops were planned along the 13.85-km route so that vehicles could enter and exit the elevated road. Later, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia objected, saying that too many loops would reduce the importance of the elevated corridor. After this, the number of loops was reduced to 14. The number of pillars and loops has also been revised during the project. 1000 crore project, 2 roads 9 meters wide each The elevated road, being built at a cost of nearly ₹1,000 crore, is being developed in two phases. In the second phase, a 7.420-km elevated stretch will be constructed from near the Girwai police outpost through Taraganj, Jiwajiganj and Nadigate up to the Lakshmibai memorial. Under the revised plan, the width of the road has been increased to 19.5 metres. It will have two carriageways of 9 metres each, with a 1.5-metre divider in between. There will be 13 loops at nine points — two each at Girwai, Phoolbagh, Ramdas Ghati and Shinde Ki Chhawani, and one each at Hanuman Bandh, Taraganj, Janakganj, Jiwajiganj and Mahal Gate. The first phase includes a 6.5-km elevated stretch from Jalalpur Tiraaha to the Lakshmibai memorial. Mangalam Buildcon India is doing the work The project is being executed by Shri Manglam Buildcon India Private Limited of Gujarat. About 90% of the funding is being provided by the central government, while the state government is contributing the remaining 10%. Due to delays by the company, the project has repeatedly missed deadlines. As per the agreement with the Public Works Department bridge division, the first phase (6.5 km) from near Jalalpur crossing to the Lakshmibai memorial was supposed to be completed by February 2025, but this did not happen. The company later got the deadline extended till December. So far, only about 60% of the work has been completed. The company has now sought another extension till June 2026, citing the monsoon as a reason. Time keeps increasing repeatedly According to the contract signed on 23 June 2022, the work was to be completed within 30 months, by 17 February 2025. However, even by then the company had not completed 50% of the project. The deadline was then extended to December 2025. After more than 38 months since the start of construction, the company has again applied for time till June 2026 to complete the work. Once both phases are completed by 2027, Gwalior will get its first elevated road.