Bhubaneswar, Aug 14: In a significant development for Odisha's infrastructure, the government will implement four new National Highway Projects worth Rs 15,000 Crore.

The development came Tuesday after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan attended a crucial review meeting, presided over by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Chief Secretary of Odisha, Manoj Ahuja, ACS, Revenue and Disaster Management and Principal Secretary, Works, Govt of Odisha also attended the review meeting.

The agenda focused on the progress of 51 NH projects currently underway in Odisha, under the aegis of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This high-level gathering aimed to accelerate the momentum of these projects, ensuring timely completion and addressing any challenges with the coordination with the Odisha government. The discussions also included proposals for new projects and the allocation of substantial funds to bolster the state's road network, which is vital for economic growth and connectivity.

ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନ ଚରଣ ମାଝୀ ନୂଆ ଜାତୀୟ ରାଜପଥ ସମୀକ୍ଷା ବୈଠକରେ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସଡ଼କ ପରିବହନ ଓ ରାଜପଥ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ନୀତିନ ଗଡ଼କରିଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ସଡ଼କ ଭିତ୍ତିଭୂମୀ ବିକାଶ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଆଲୋଚନା କରିଛନ୍ତି।

ଏହି ବୈଠକରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ଵରରୁ ପୁରୀ, ଚଣ୍ଡିଖୋଲରୁ ବଡ଼ବିଲ, ଖୋର୍ଦ୍ଧାରୁ ନୟାଗଡ଼, କେସିଙ୍ଗାରୁ ଜୁନାଗଡ଼… pic.twitter.com/k6gFuyCeAV

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) August 13, 2024

The commitment from CM Majhi highlights the state government's focus on infrastructure development, particularly in road construction. By addressing key challenges such as land acquisition and the availability of construction materials, the government aims to facilitate smoother and faster development processes. 

In this meeting, implementation of four new NH projects -- Bhubaneswar to Puri, Chandikhol to Barbil, Khurda to Nayagarh, and Kesinga to Junagarh -- has been agreed at an estimated cost of Rs 15,000 Crores.

A. Proposed projects by Odisha CM Mohan Majhi:

Bhubaneswar – Puri ( 60 km): 6-lane along with service road with an estimated cost of Rs 1800 crore
Chandikhol – Barbil (2000 km): Estimated cost is Rs 10,000 Crores along with Service Road
Khurda-Nayagarh NH-57 (54 km): 4-lane with service road in the built-up area with an estimated cost of Rs 1100 crores
Kesinga-Junagarh NH-26 (46 km): 4-lane with an estimated cost of Rs 1000 crores

All four projects worth Rs 15,000 crore were agreed upon and it was decided to prepare DPR.

B.    Rs 2500 crore has been sanctioned for two laning of Koraput-Podamari project (National Highway-326) (246 km).

C.    Rs 500 crore has been disbursed this year under the Central Roads and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). Moreover, additional funds would be sanctioned after usage.

D.    Rs 250 crore earmarked under Setu Bandhan Yojana for Odisha.

E.    A DPR will be submitted for the development of National Highways in Odisha at a cost of Rs 3400 crore.

Union Minister Gadkari and CM Majhi also discussed on future projects in Odisha worth Rs 21,650 crore.

F.    Likewise, on the request of CM Majhi, Union Minister Gadkari has agreed to further study the feasibility of the following proposals...

The spine of Odisha (Atal Expressway) Motu – Tiringi (969 km) passes through 9 districts with an estimated project cost of Rs 15,000 crore for the West-East connectivity corridor.

a:    Jharsuguda – Balasore(383 km) approximately Rs 7,500 crore
b:    Nuapada – Astaranga (491 km) approximately Rs 9500 crore
c:    Brundababahal – Gopalpur (357 km) approximately Rs 6800 crores
d:    Sambalpur – Satabhaya (404 km) approximately Rs 5477 crores

Grand Ring Road

a:    Brahmapur – Jeypore (287 km) approximately Rs.9000 crore
b:    Jeypore – Rourkela (638 km) approximately Rs.2500 crores
c:    Rourkela-Jaleshwar (391 km) approximately Rs.2200 crores
d:    Jaleswar – Brahampur (442 km on National Highway-16)

Read More: Odisha News