Bhubaneswar (OT Webdesk): In a significant infrastructure boost, the Odisha Cabinet has sanctioned two major road projects worth ₹1,426 crore aimed at strengthening connectivity in disaster-prone areas and rural regions.
The approval also includes a 50% fare discount on state-run buses for vulnerable sections of society.
Under the newly launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana’, ₹1,000 crore has been earmarked to construct 500 km of disaster-resilient roads between 2025 and 2030.
These roads will feature elevated embankments, reinforced protection walls, modern drainage systems, and high-level bridges—essential to maintaining access during cyclones and floods.
In addition, the government has approved ₹426 crore for upgrading rural roads in 142 assembly segments over the next three years.
This project focuses on linking remote villages with vital facilities such as schools, hospitals, and markets.
Engineering improvements like stone pitching, hillside drains, and cross-drainage structures will enhance durability.
The road projects are set to begin in FY 2025–26, with rural upgrades expected to conclude by 2026–27. Local bodies will assist in mapping priority routes for effective implementation.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has also introduced a 50% fare discount on state-run buses under the ‘Mukhyamantri Bus Seba’.
Beneficiaries include women, students, transgender persons, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, ensuring greater mobility access for disadvantaged groups.
These initiatives mark a crucial step towards strengthening Odisha’s transportation network, enhancing disaster preparedness, and improving accessibility across the state.
