Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday set an ambitious goal to construct 30,000 kilometres of roads and 500 bridges in the next five years for the Rural Development Department.
The Chief Minister, who chaired a review meeting of the department, highlighted the significance of utilising 100% of the available funds to provide high-quality transport facilities to the people of Odisha, an official statement said.
Underlining the need for strict quality control in road and bridge construction, Majhi directed the department to take action against contractors and officers who fail to meet standards. He also stressed on the need to build good-quality roads in hilly areas and conducting training programs to improve the skills of contractors.
The meeting noted that in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Odisha has secured the fourth position in India by constructing 70,711.24 km of roads out of the 73,984.88 km approved.
The fourth phase of the scheme focuses on tribal-dominated areas, aspirational blocks, and Naxal-affected areas, with a proposal to construct 942 roads and 8 bridges for 1,021 unconnected public settlements.
It was revealed that the department has made significant progress in recent years. In 2024-25, 4,500.30 km of roads were constructed under the Chief Minister’s Road Scheme, and 186 bridges were built under the Bridge Construction Scheme. In 2025-26, the department plans to construct 5,000 km of roads and 300 bridges.
Steps are also being taken to improve rural infrastructure, including the construction of hostels, college houses, government offices, storm and flood shelters, and welfare pavilions. In 2024-25, 451 buildings and structures were completed, and provision has been made to complete 1,229 construction works in 2025-26.
This push for rural development is part of the state’s broader vision, as outlined in the “Viksit Gaon, Viksit Odisha” scheme, which aims to develop rural infrastructure and improve the socio-economic condition of rural areas with a Rs 5,000 crore investment, officials said.
