Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari envisioned national highways transforming to match global standards, comparable to those in the United States. With these projects, people will reach their destinations on time, saving valuable time and enhancing their overall travel experience, said Gadkari while launching 19 national highway projects in Odisha, worth over Rs 4,137 crore, covering 154 km.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gadkari emphasised the importance of developing water, transport and communication infrastructure, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on road infrastructure development.
Gadkari announced that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for constructing two bridges between Satapada and Krishnaprasad in Puri district, estimated to cost Rs 500 crore, will be ready soon. He promised to fulfill his commitment made during the general elections and will perform the ground-breaking ceremony upon the DPR’s completion.
Highlighting the progress made in the last 11 years, Gadkari said national highway projects worth ₹2 lakh crore are currently underway in Odisha, with projects worth ₹3 lakh crore slated for completion in the next two years. The Raipur-Visakhapatnam corridor, expected to be completed this year, will reduce travel time from Nabarangpur to Visakhapatnam from 8.5 hours to 4 hours.
Gadkari also emphasized Odisha’s rich natural resources and potential for development. He expressed his fondness for Paradip, where significant work has been done under the Sagarmala project. The Union Minister assured a review of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s proposal for the Jagannath temple project after returning from Delhi.
Additionally, Gadkari mentioned plans to expand the Puri-Bhubaneswar highway to six lanes, complete with service roads. This development aims to transform the state’s transportation system and support economic growth
