Work On 2 Highway Projects In Odisha Accelerated, Says Dharmendra Pradhan Amid ‘Neglect’ Cry Of Oppn

Bhubaneswar: Amid Opposition’s criticism of Union Budget over ‘complete neglect’ of Odisha, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has highlighted acceleration of two highway projects in the state.

In a post on X, Dharmendra said that work on two major national highway projects in Odisha – ‘Coastal Highway’ and ‘Capital Region Ring Road’ – will begin soon. He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for expediting the works.

The Union Minister said that the process for construction of the 413 km long four-lane coastal highway project at a cost of Rs 23,882 crore has been accelerated. “It will be a game changer for social and economic development of eastern India, including Odisha, and and will help realise PM Modi’s Purvodaya vision,” he said.

The detailed project report (DPR) and its related approvals are nearing completion, he informed.

The coastal highway project, a part of the Bharatmala initiative, will be constructed in three packages (from Rameswar to Ratanpur, Ratanpur to Digha and Jamujhadi to Dhamra) and is expected to significantly boost Odisha’s infrastructure.

Dharmendra further stated that work on the 111 km-long Capital Region Ring Road project at a cost of Rs 6,092 crore is also progressing.  “The proposed six-lane ring road project connecting Khurda, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will be a milestone in Odisha’s communication sector under the Purvoday scheme,” he said.

He added that the Modi government is giving special importance to road infrastructure and transit in the state as it is committed to a strong, prosperous and developed Odisha.

Notably, BJD MP Sasmit Patra had sought information on progress in these two projects in Rajya Sabha.

Gadkari had informed that DPRs for development of Coastal Highway and Capital Ring Road have been awarded. “The work can begin after the completion of DPR and pre-construction activities depending upon projected traffic, techno-economic viability, availability of funds and inter-se-priority,” he added.