Argus News - Dharmendra Pradhan Seeks CM Majhi’s Intervention for Angul Road Expansion

New Delhi, Apr 2: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has sought the personal intervention of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to strengthen road infrastructure in Angul district, a hub of coal production and heavy industry.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Pradhan highlighted the urgent need for widening and upgrading the Chhendipada-Angul State Highway 63 and constructing bypasses to ease traffic congestion. He also requested the expansion of the Chhendipada-Jarapada district road, which connects coal mining areas to National Highway 55 and the rail corridor.
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Dharmendra Pradhan noted that Angul district, with a population of nearly 1.5 million, contributes about 5% to Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Rich in coal reserves, the district currently produces 116 million tonnes annually, projected to rise to 250-300 million tonnes by 2033. This makes Angul critical to India’s energy security.

The district hosts major industrial and power facilities, including NALCO’s smelter plant, NTPC Kaniha, Talcher Super Thermal Power Station, and extensive coal mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. These establishments form the backbone of Odisha’s energy and industrial ecosystem.
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The Union Education Minister emphasized that Chhendipada alone accounts for nearly one-sixth of India’s coal reserves, underscoring its national importance. However, existing road infrastructure is inadequate for the heavy coal transportation, leading to traffic jams, accidents, and public dissatisfaction.

To address these challenges, Union Minister Pradhan proposed two key measures:

• Upgrading State Highway 63 from two lanes to four lanes, along with bypass construction to divert traffic away from densely populated areas.
• Widening the Chhendipada-Jarapada road, which links mining zones with NH-55 and the rail corridor, thereby reducing pressure on SH-63 and creating an alternative transport route.

He argued that improved road connectivity would not only facilitate coal transport but also attract fresh investments, boost MSMEs, and accelerate socio-economic development in the region. Enhanced infrastructure, he said, would benefit both industry and local communities, ensuring safer travel and greater opportunities.