25 NH Projects Delayed In Odisha: Land Acquisition, Forest Clearance Key Reasons

Bhubaneswar: Hurdles in land acquisition, forest clearance and other related bottlenecks have delayed 25 National Highway projects in Odisha.

As many as 12 projects have been delayed due to land acquisition, revealed sources in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The projects that have delayed due to land acquisitions include expansion works of Khurda-Nayagarh and Jharsuguda-Bhojpur highways. Similarly, construction of Bargarh-Barpali project, expansion work of Mundamarai-Ratanpur section, expansion project of Rairangpur section of NH 220, Bhanjanagar-Aska double-laning work, bypass construction near Berhampur city have been delayed due to land acquisition, it is learnt.

But that is not all. Land acquisition delay has also created obstacles for construction of bypass near Reamal on NH 53, construction of bridge over Simuli nullah on NH 220, six-laning of Kaliagura-Baunsaguar and Baunsaguar-Baraja sections of NH-130, four lane work of Cuttack- Angul section of NH-55, Barkote section construction work on NH 23, sources said.

Another 13 NH projects in Odisha have been delayed due to forest clearance, dillydallying by the concerned agencies, shifting and relocation of important offices and institutions. Covid 19 pandemic and incessant rains have also affected the projects meeting deadlines, sources revealed.

Out of the 25 delayed NH projects, five were supposed to be completed by 2020. Similarly, one was to be completed in 2021, two each in 2022 and 2023, and the remaining 15 were scheduled to be completed in 2024.

However, the Ministry expects that 10 projects may be completed by December 31, 2024 and the rest 15 by the end of 2025, sources added.