Bhubaneswar, Jun 3: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday welcomed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs’ (CCEA) approval of the Rs8,300‑crore Coastal Highway project from Rameshwar to Paradeep, describing it as a transformative step for Odisha’s coastal economy and regional connectivity.

A new chapter in #Odisha’s infrastructure development begins with the approval of the ₹8,300 crore Coastal Highway from Rameshwar to Paradeep by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji. Spanning key… pic.twitter.com/TxOd3fvu8C

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 3, 2026

Taking to his X handle, CM Majhi said that a new chapter in Odisha’s infrastructure development begins with the CCEA’s approval under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized that the landmark project would strengthen connectivity across key coastal districts, reduce travel time by nearly 2.5 hours, and create new opportunities for tourism, trade, logistics, and economic growth.

The Chief Minister added that the Coastal Highway will accelerate the transformation of Odisha’s coastal economy, improve the quality of life for millions, and reflects the Government of India’s commitment to building world‑class infrastructure in the state. He also expressed gratitude to PM Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for their support and commitment to Odisha’s development.

The CCEA, chaired by PM Modi, approved the construction of the new highway on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). The project will span 160.18 km, divided into two packages: a four‑lane stretch from Rameshwar to Konark (Package‑1) and a two‑lane road with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradeep (Package‑2). Designed for a speed of 100 km/hour, the project is expected to significantly improve travel efficiency.

Passing through Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur districts, the highway will connect nine economic nodes and five logistics nodes under the PM GatiShakti principles, positively impacting India’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI). The existing NH‑16 and NH‑316 networks, though vital, face congestion and poor geometry along stretches such as Puri–Satapada and Puri–Konark, making the new highway critical for smooth long‑distance vehicular movement.

Upon completion, travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep is expected to reduce by about 2.5 hours, marking a significant boost to Odisha’s infrastructure and economic prospects.