Chandrapur-Ashti road may be upraded as national highway

In what may be a big boost for the development of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts in Maharashtra, the Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways is considering upgrading the Chandrapur-Ballarpur -Bamani-Gondiopipri- Ashti road as a new national highway.
According to a communication from Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to Maharashtra State Finance Minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar on September 18, 2015 the ministry has taken initiatives for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for declaring the said stretch as a new national highway and the same would be notified accordingly, subject to the outcome of DPR.
Mungantiwar had taken up the issue with Union Transport Ministry last year, and had met Gadkari in this regard in August, 2014.

A press communique from the district administration has stated that the efforts of Mungantiwar and constant follow up of the issue with the ministry have finally resulted in positive outcome.
It is also said that the four-lane national highway would pave way for industrialization and developments in the twin districts of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, that are known to be naxal-infested.
The new highway with positive developments might result in decline in Naxal activities in the area, it said.