Parliament Question: Road widening in the Narmadapuram-Betul Ghat area

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4217 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 ROAD WIDENING IN THE NARMADAPURAM-BETUL GHAT AREA †4217. SMT. MAYA NAROLIYA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware that there is a constant risk of accidents due to narrow roads in the ghat areas (such as Baretha, Maramjhiri, etc.) located between Narmadapuram and Betul on the Obedullaganj to Nagpur National Highway;

(b) if so, whether any Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for widening these ghat areas to four lanes; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps Government is going to take in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) In about 20 km length of National Highway between Narmadapuram and Betul (including ghat area of Baretha) which passes through a notified Wildlife Sanctuary ie., Tiger Reserve area, the road width is narrow. To ensure road safety on these narrow sections, measures such as warning signs, crash barriers, parapet walls, and other necessary interventions have been carried out. The National Highway 46 between Narmadapuram and Betul does not pass through any ghat area near Maramjhiri.

(b)&(c) Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for the widening (four-laning) of these sections and is at an advanced stage. *****