Bhubaneswar, Apr 17 (UNI) Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 19 road projects in Odisha, with a total investment of over Rs. 4,000 crore.
Of these, two projects worth Rs. 845 crore were dedicated to the public, while the foundation stone was laid for 17 projects estimated at Rs. 3,332 crore.
Among the projects inaugurated are the four-lane widening of the Banarpal-Godibandha and Talcher-Kamakhyanagar sections. These will improve connectivity to Angul, Talcher, and Duburi. Additionally, vehicular underpasses at Balikuda, Shikharpur, and Badchana will ease traffic congestion.
As part of the drive to accelerate Odisha’s development, the foundation stone for 17 ambitious road infrastructure projects was also laid.
According to official sources, six bridges will be constructed across the Mahanadi, Tel, Hati, and Sagada rivers. Furthermore, the construction of five elephant underpasses (EUPs) and 14 animal underpasses (AUPs) in the Bangriposi Ghat section of National Highway-49 will facilitate safe travel and help protect wildlife.
Permanent improvements to 15 black spots on the Cuttack to Ichhapuram section of National Highway-16 are expected to reduce road accidents.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony took place in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Odisha PWD Minister K.V. Singh Deo, Minister of Public Works Prithviraj Harichandan, and State Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena.
Responding to a request from the Chief Minister, Gadkari also approved 13 projects worth Rs. 9,023 crore and sanctioned Rs. 800 crore from the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for Odisha.
Speaking at the event, Gadkari stated that road projects worth approximately Rs. 2 lakh crore are currently being implemented in Odisha. He noted that work worth Rs. 60,000 crore has already been completed, another Rs. 60,000 crore is in progress, and projects worth an additional Rs. 75,000 crore are expected to commence shortly.
He added that road development projects worth Rs. 3 lakh crore will be implemented in the state over the next two years.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister proposed an allocation of Rs. 800 crore from CRIF for road development, which was immediately approved by the Union Minister.
In addition, eight bypass projects worth approximately Rs. 5,000 crore were approved for Odisha. These bypasses will be developed in Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balangir, Nayagarh, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, Phulbani, and Rayagada.
Gadkari assured that any proposal submitted by the Odisha government for the state’s development will receive prompt approval.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated, “We have achieved immense success in attracting capital and establishing world-class industrial infrastructure.” He added that development in Odisha would accelerate under the “Double Engine” government.
