Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, is scheduled to arrive in Odisha on Thursday to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for highway projects worth Rs 4,000 crore.
According to his itinerary, Gadkari will begin his one-day tour to the state by attending Dr Harekrushna Mahatab Memorial Lecture at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, commemorating the birth anniversary of the former Chief Minister. He will deliver a Memorial Lecture on ‘Infrastructure Development and Odisha’ and attend the National Conference on the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr Harekrushna Mahatab at 11.15 am, an official release said.
“The minister will also inaugurate a painting exhibition in the university’s heritage hall,” said university registrar Kahnu Charan Mallick.
At 2 pm, the Union Minister will visit the World Skill Centre, Bhubaneswar.
He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of 19 national highway projects worth Rs 4000 crore during a public meeting at Baramunda Maidan here at 4.30 pm. These projects will cover 105 km across Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Kandhamal and Nayagarh districts. Key projects include the four-laning of Banarpal-Godibandha stretch, widening of the Daringbadi ghat portion on NH-59 and widening of NH-10 (Mangalpur to Kayangola with Aradi spur).
Gadkari is also expected to make significant announcements regarding new infrastructure initiatives and plans to accelerate national highway expansion in Odisha.