Bhubaneswar: In a major move to strengthen Odisha’s road infrastructure, Principal Secretary of the Works Department, Sanjay Kumar Singh, announced focused efforts to provide a robust road network connecting all major regions of the State. The initiative aligns with the vision of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister Prithviraj Harichandan to accelerate overall development.
In a meeting held on Monday at the Departmental Conference Hall, Singh chaired discussions on the construction and widening of several key road projects across the State. The proposed 111-km Capital Region Ring Road around Bhubaneswar was reviewed, and Singh directed officials to expedite project execution, including securing forest and environmental clearances and completing land acquisition at the earliest.
The meeting also focused on decongesting traffic in Cuttack and developing a direct road link from Bhubaneswar to Jagatsinghpur and Paradip. Officials were instructed to prepare the alignment plan and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new Greenfield road from near Dhakulei Peetha to Kandarpur. Once completed, this route will bypass Cuttack city, reducing travel distance and time significantly.
Other projects reviewed included the widening and land acquisition for the 206-km Koraput–Mohana road and the upgradation of the Khordha–Nayagarh road. Officials were asked to strictly follow the approved DPRs and ensure timely execution.
The meeting was attended by Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Special Secretary of the Works Department, Lakshmikant Padhi; Regional Officer of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Sunil Kumar; Chief Engineer, National Highways (Odisha); and other senior officers.
