Bhubaneswar, Jun 3: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday hailed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Rs 8,300‑crore Greenfield Coastal Highway project from Rameshwar to Paradip in Odisha as a “game‑changer” for the state’s development.

In a post on X, Pradhan also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for their leadership in advancing this long‑awaited project.

ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବିକାଶରେ ‘କୋଷ୍ଟାଲ ହାଇଓ୍ୱେ’ ହେବ ଗେମ୍-ଚେଞ୍ଜର

ରାମେଶ୍ୱର ଠାରୁ କୋଣାର୍କ ଦେଇ ପାରାଦୀପ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ୧୬୦.୧୮ କିଲୋମିଟର ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଗ୍ରୀନଫିଲ୍ଡ ‘କୋଷ୍ଟାଲ ହାଇୱେ’ ପ୍ରକଳ୍ପ ନିର୍ମାଣ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାୟ ୮ ହଜାର ୩୦୦ କୋଟିରୁ ଉର୍ଦ୍ଧ୍ୱ ଟଙ୍କା ବ୍ୟୟବରାଦକୁ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର କ୍ୟାବିନେଟରେ ମଞ୍ଜୁରୀ ଦେଇଥିବାରୁ ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 3, 2026

Project Details

The proposed coastal highway will extend over a total length of 160.18 kilometers, designed to improve connectivity and efficiency along Odisha’s coastal belt.

In Package‑1, the stretch from Rameshwar to Kakatpur will cover approximately 79 km. This section will be developed as a 4‑lane highway, ensuring smoother traffic flow and faster travel.

In Package‑2, the road from Kakatpur to Paradip will span around 80 km. This portion will feature a 2‑lane configuration with paved shoulders, providing safe and reliable passage for vehicles while accommodating local commuter traffic.

Together, these two packages form the backbone of the new highway project, aimed at enhancing regional mobility, reducing travel time, and supporting socio‑economic growth across Odisha’s coastal districts.
Also Read: Odisha Must Draw Inspiration From Kalinga's Maritime Legacy To Build Stronger Future: Dharmendra Pradhan

Boost to Odisha’s Growth

Pradhan emphasized that the project would strengthen connectivity in coastal districts, accelerate the Blue Economy, and promote tourism and industrialization. He noted that the highway will generate extensive employment opportunities and create new avenues for local youth, making it a transformative step for Odisha’s socio‑economic progress.

Alignment with National Vision

The project is part of the Prime Minister’s Purvodaya Mission, aimed at driving growth in eastern India. By enhancing regional mobility and linking economic and logistic nodes, the highway will support sustainable development and contribute to India’s broader infrastructure goals.