Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to Odisha’s infrastructure, the Centre on Tuesday approved road development projects worth Rs 44,771 crore for the 2025–26 financial year.
The approvals accorded by the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry cover five National Highways projects, five State Highway projects, and several initiatives under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
Odisha’s Minister for Works, Law and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, who met Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday, announced the approvals following a detailed review of the state’s highway and connectivity needs.
While Rs 30,000 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre for National Highway expansion and upgradation, Rs 13,000 crore has been allocated for State Highway projects. A significant addition is the Centre’s n
od to develop a new Greenfield high-speed corridor between Bhubaneswar and Paradip to strengthen direct connectivity to the major port city.
Prominent National Highway projects approved include converting the Bhubaneswar–Puri road into an 8-lane highway, upgrading the 140 km Tangi–Puintola–Ichhapuram stretch into 6 lanes, expanding the 400 km Rourkela–Bada Bil–Paradip via Duburi corridor into 8 lanes, and widening the 68 km Pallahara–Pitiri stretch under NH-149 into 4 lanes.
This apart, Rs 1,500 crore has been sanctioned under the CRIF scheme, fulfilling commitments made during the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar in November 2025.
The Centre has also approved Rs 13,141 crore for State Highway projects, including widening the Barpali–Balangir, Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagarh, Balangir–Nayagarh, Hinjilikatu Bypass, and Mohana–Paralakhemundi roads, alongside upgrades on NH-26.
The new projects are set to enhance inter-district connectivity, support industrial corridors, and strengthen Odisha’s transportation network for the coming decade.
Principal Secretary Works Sanjay Kumar Singh, EIC and Special Secretary L. K. Padhy, MoRTH ADG Atul Kumar, and NHAI Member Bipnesh Sharma were present during the meetings.