Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Monday approved the lowest tender of Rs 147.10 crore for widening and strengthening the 30-km Komtalpeta-Muniguda-Tumudibandha Road (SH-5) in Rayagada district from two lanes to four lanes, an official statement said.
The tender has been awarded to Ashribad Eng. & Constructions Pvt. Ltd. for execution of the project, which has an estimated cost of Rs 214.71 crore.
The project covers the stretch from Km 0/000 to Km 30/000 and will be implemented under the State Plan by the Works Department, the statement said.
The upgraded road will be developed as a four-lane corridor with a design speed of 80 kmph. The project is expected to reduce travel time on the 30-km stretch from about one hour to nearly 30 minutes.
The improved corridor will provide better connectivity between Rayagada district headquarters, Bisam Cuttack and Muniguda NAC, while strengthening inter-district connectivity with Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts.
According to the Works Department, the road will also serve as an important logistics corridor, connecting the mineral-rich hinterland of western Odisha and Chhattisgarh with Visakhapatnam Port through the Raipur-Visakhapatnam transport route.
The project is expected to facilitate the faster movement of agricultural produce, minerals and industrial goods and reduce logistics costs.
The corridor will also improve connectivity to major industrial establishments, including JK Paper Mills, IMFA, Vedanta Aluminium at Lanjigarh and Utkal Alumina.
The upgraded road will directly benefit 21 villages in Rayagada, Kolnara and Bisam Cuttack tahasils, particularly people living in remote and tribal areas, the statement said.
The project is also expected to improve access to education, healthcare, markets, banking and government services, besides creating employment opportunities during construction.
Improved connectivity to the Maa Majhighariani shrine and other cultural and tourist destinations in Rayagada district is expected to promote religious tourism and benefit local businesses.
The work is targeted for completion within 24 calendar months.
