Bhubaneswar: With the proposal of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to construct around 450 kms of coastal highway along the coastline in Odisha, the draft alignment of the road was discussed in a high level meeting presided over by the chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the State Secretariat here on Saturday.
Considering the draft proposal presented by the NHAI member Anand Kumar Singh, Padhi advised the NHAI to preserve the coastal character of the proposed coastal highway. He also directed that the tourism, commercial port and public benefit prospects also be kept in view while finalizing the alignment of the coastal highway.
This apart, the chief secretary directed that the highways under renovation and expansion should be kept in motorable condition from safety points of view while laying emphasis on road safety as top priority while constructing the roads. The safety requirements as suggested by district authorities be catered to immediately to which the NHAI member assured that the suggestions given by district collectors would be complied within a month.
Chief Secretary also asked the NHAI to fix sinages road indicators in Odia and English languages on all National Highway passing through Odisha.
“Since there an Act for use of Odia language and State Cabinet has resoled definite directions in this matter, absence of Odia sign boards may amount to an offence,” said Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan who was present at the meeting.
“We discussed about alignment of the roads. Issues relating to Puri-Konark marine drive road, alignment at Astanarag Port, Jambu forest area, Bhitarkanika reserve forest, proposed ports , alignment of road at Satapada, bridge over the lake Chilika etc were discussed and resoled. Suggestions were given to NHAI for consideration,” Padhi told media persons after the meeting.
Replying to a question, Singh said the Coastal NH is an ambitious programmes of the Centre and it will be developed as an economic and tourism corridor.
“NHAI has prepared a draft project. Since the Odisha government is a major stake holder in the project, the issues regarding its alignment was thoroughly discussed in the meeting,” he pointed out.
Several valuable suggestions and inputs were given by the state, he said, adding thta NHAI will make all efforts to finalize the alignment of the Coastal NH as per the suggestions of the state.
As per the available data, the proposed road will connect places like Ratanpur-Satapada-Korak-Astrang-Chilika-Satabhaya-Dhamara-Basudevpur-Talapada-Chandipur-Chandaneswar–Digha.
Out of the total length of 451 kms, around 29 kms come under Ganjam district, 153 kms under Puri, 54 kms under Jagatsinghpur, 49 kms under Kendrapara, 61 kms under Bhadrak and 99 kms under Balasore district while the remaining 6 km will connects East Medinipur in West Bengal.
More than 178 villages in all these districts would be connected by the road. There would bridges over river Rushikulya, Palur Sahib Canal, Chilka lake, river Dhanikhiya, Nua, Khushabhadra, Kadua, Devi, Hansua, Mahanadi, Gobari, Patashala, Brahmani, Baitarani, Mantei, Panchapara, Dubdubi and Subarnarekha.
Apart from this, bypasses would be constructed near Bajrakote, Maludkhas, Brahmagiri, Rebana Nuagoan, Konark, Gagua, Jarimul, Gula, Basudevpur, Anantapur, Gopalpur, Rasalpur and Panchupali . The road would provide a boost to tourism and industrial activities in the region.
The bypasses would also serve as a highway linkage to all ports in Odisha.
Preliminary survey has been conducted and the basis of survey reports a feasibility proposal has been prepared. The project will be given a final shape after finalization of the alignment.
Secretary, Works Nalinikanta Pradhan, CMD, IDCO Sanjay Singh, Puri Collector Arabind Agrawal, NHAI General Manager Dharmananda Sarangi, senior officers and engineers from NHAI and the state government along with technical consultants were present at the meeting.
