Odisha

Odisha Govt Approves Coastal Highway With Changed Alignment

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The proposed coastal highway in Odisha, which has been hanging fire over environmental issues since 2015, has finally been cleared with necessary changes in the alignment.

The state government has sent its approval of the project under the Centre’s Bharatmala Pariyojana, which has been aligned keeping its environmental impact in view, to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The changed alignment of the coastal highway will not affect the ecology of Balukhand wildlife sanctuary, Bhitarkanika national park and the turtle nesting grounds. The length of the highway has also been brought down to 382 km from 450 km.

Additional secretary, Works department Hemanta Kumar Dutta in a letter to NHAI chief general manager (technical) Ram Prasad Panda said the highway will pass through Tangi (NH-16), Brahmagiri, Puri, Konark, Astaranga, Naugaon, Paradip Port, Ratanpur, Satabhaya, Dhamra, Basudevpur, Talapada, Chandipur, Chandaneswar and Digha, a news agency reported.

Earlier, the coastal highway was proposed from Gopalpur in Ganjam district to Satapada across Chilika Lake. Now, it will start from Tangi on NH-16 avoiding the Chilika Lake. Besides, adequate cross drainage structures would be put in place to allow passage.

It may be noted that Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced the coastal highway project during his visit to Odisha in April, 2015. But the Ministry of Environment refused to approve the project on the ground that the proposed alignment would affect the sensitive ecology of Chilika Lake.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Farmers Forced To Distress Sale Of Vegetables & Fruits For Lack Of Cold Storage In Odisha’s KoraputIn

Koraput: With the proposal to construct a cold storage of 50-ton capacity yet to take…

November 27, 2024

No Roadshow, PM Modi To Review BJP Govt Performance On Nov 29 During Odisha Visit

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review performance of the Mohan Majhi government in Odisha…

November 27, 2024

21 Crew Of Cargo Ship Stage Protest Over Year-Long Detention After Rs 220 Cr Cocaine Seizure In Odisha’s Paradip

Paradip: All the 21 crew members of M V Devi cargo ship, which has been…

November 27, 2024

2 Coal Mines In Odisha Among 9 Auctioned By Centre; Check Details

Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Coal has successfully auctioned nine coal mines, including two in Odisha,…

November 27, 2024

Bihar Couple Sells 4-Yr-Old Daughter For Rs 40K In Bhubaneswar; Deal Captured On CCTV Camera

Bhubaneswar: Badagada police on Wednesday rescued a four-year-old girl, who was allegedly sold by her…

November 27, 2024

Outrage After Photo Of Man Smoking Inside Lingaraj Temple In Bhubaneswar Goes Viral

Bhubaneswar: A photo of a man smoking cigarette on the premises of Shree Lingaraj Temple…

November 27, 2024

BJD Govt Sanctioned Gandhamardan Land Purchase By Adani Group; No Mining To Be Allowed: Odisha Deputy CM

Bhubaneswar: The issue relating to purchase of land by Adani Group near Gandhamardan hills in…

November 27, 2024

Over 1 Lakh Ghost Ration Card Holders Detected During E-KYC Verification: Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: Over 1 lakh ghost ration card holders have been identified and removed from the…

November 27, 2024