Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Opposition Grows as ₹417-Crore Elevated Corridor Work Begins in Ujjain
In the city of Ujjain in India, workers have started building a new raised road above the regular streets.
It is called an elevated corridor and will be about 3.5 kilometers long with four lanes.
The city is getting ready for a huge religious gathering called Simhastha in 2028, so they want to finish it before then.
Some shop owners near the construction are not happy about it.
They worry that the new road will take too much of their land, which they need to run their businesses.
They say the plan changed from two lanes to four lanes and now more land is needed.
The owners already gave away land for a previous big festival.
The government says the new road will help reduce traffic jams and make travel easier.
Construction workers have closed half of the road in front of a building called Charak Bhawan for safety.
Also, three heavy electric poles that were meant for the festival were stolen, but cameras caught people taking them and the police are looking into it.
Construction has begun on Ujjain's first elevated bridge project, a 3.536-km four-lane corridor costing Rs 417.37 crore running from Makodiaam on Agar Road through Indoregate to the Harifatak Flyover.
Opposition has emerged, with posters against the project mysteriously appearing overnight in the Indoregate area, where around 200 shops are located.
Traders claim a two-lane bridge was originally announced and the four-lane version requires additional land acquisition, saying they already surrendered 20 feet during the previous Simhastha.
The government expects the corridor to significantly reduce traffic pressure on the city's busiest routes, allowing long-distance traffic to use the elevated section while local traffic uses the road below.
Separately, three electrical poles meant for Simhastha preparations were stolen in broad daylight in Bapu Nagar, with CCTV capturing the theft and Chimanganj Mandi police investigating.
- Who
- Traders and shop owners in Ujjain's Indoregate area opposing the project, and the Madhya Pradesh government carrying out construction.
- What
- Construction of a ₹417.37-crore, four-lane elevated corridor has begun amid growing trader opposition.
- When
- Ahead of Simhastha 2028, with both elevated bridges scheduled for completion before the festival.
- Where
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, along the route from Makodiaam on Agar Road through Indoregate to the Harifatak Flyover.
- Why
- To reduce traffic pressure on some of the city's busiest routes and prepare for the Simhastha 2028 gathering.
Traders' Opposition
Government Infrastructure Plan
Land acquisition
Traders' Opposition
Traders surrendered 20 feet of land during the previous Simhastha and say another 20 feet is now being sought, which on ~50-foot plots would leave only 10 feet for businesses to operate.
Government Infrastructure Plan
Additional land is needed to build the four-lane elevated corridor, a major traffic project being developed ahead of Simhastha 2028.
Bridge design
Traders' Opposition
A two-lane bridge had originally been announced, and traders say there was no need for a larger four-lane structure requiring more land.
Government Infrastructure Plan
The four-lane elevated corridor is expected to significantly reduce traffic pressure on some of the city's busiest routes.
Need for the project
Traders' Opposition
Traders say there is no need for the bridge in the area, questioning how businesses can survive with so little land left.
Government Infrastructure Plan
The project will let long-distance traffic travel along the elevated section while the road below is used for local traffic, easing congestion.
- Project cost
- Rs 417.37 crore
- Corridor length
- 3.536 km
- Lanes
- 4
- Route
- Makodiaam (Agar Road) via Indoregate to Harifatak Flyover
- Completion target
- Before Simhastha 2028
- Shops in area
- Around 200
- Land rate in area
- Rs 70,000 per square foot
- Stolen items
- 3 electrical poles from Bapu Nagar; police investigating