Bhubaneswar: Two major national highway stretches in Odisha — NH-316 connecting Puri and Bhubaneswar and a key stretch of NH-16 from Tangi to Ichchapuram — are set to be upgraded into six-lane controlled-access corridors, giving a major push to the state’s road infrastructure and connectivity plans.
The projects gained momentum after Odisha works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan held discussions with Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Monday. Harichandan said the Centre responded positively to the state government’s proposals and directed officials to initiate necessary steps for implementation.
According to the minister, the Puri-Bhubaneswar stretch of NH-316 will be converted into a six-lane controlled-access highway with continuous service roads to ease growing traffic pressure on the busy corridor connecting the state capital with the pilgrim city.
The Tangi-Puintala-Berhampur-Ichchapuram stretch of NH-16 will also be upgraded into a six-lane highway with service roads. Harichandan said preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) and the tendering process are likely to begin shortly.
The state government also sought early approval for the proposal to convert the Puri-Brahmagiri-Satpada road into a four-lane highway, considering the increasing tourist and local traffic movement in the region.
In another significant development for Bhubaneswar, Gadkari reportedly directed officials to widen the service road stretch from Palasuni to Khandagiri and Tamando into an eight-lane corridor to address severe traffic congestion along the route.
Harichandan said the proposed projects would improve connectivity, facilitate smoother transportation and support economic growth across different regions of Odisha.
