Bhubaneswar: Odisha has secured major clearances for the expansion and upgrade of key National and State Highways, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways approving projects worth ₹44,771 crore for the financial year 2025–26.
The approval follows a meeting between Works, Law and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Briefing the media, Minister Harichandan said the Centre has cleared five National Highway projects, five State Highway projects, and works under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
Among the highlights is the approval to expand the Bhubaneswar–Puri stretch into an 8-lane corridor, and to upgrade the 140-km Tangi–Puintola–Ichchhapuram road into a 6-lane route.
The Centre has also given the green signal for widening the 400-km Rourkela–Barbil–Paradip (via Duburi) corridor to 8 lanes, along with 4-laning of the 68-km Pallahara–Pitiri section of NH-149.
Harichandan added that the commitments made by the Union Minister during the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar from November 7–10, 2025, have been fulfilled with the approval of ₹1,500 crore under the CRIF scheme.
In a major boost to State Highway development, approvals worth ₹13,141 crore have been granted for improvement and widening of five corridors. These include 4-laning of the Barapali–Balangir road, the Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagarh stretch, the Balangir–Nayagarh road, development of the Hinjilikatu bypass, and 4-laning of the Berhampur–Kalushandapur route. The Mohana–Paralakhemundi road will also be upgraded, along with widening works on NH-26.
The minister also revealed that discussions on a new Greenfield direct road between Bhubaneswar and Paradip have progressed positively. The proposed corridor, he said, would significantly enhance connectivity between the capital and the fast-growing port region.
Principal Secretary Works Sanjay Kumar Singh, EIC and Special Secretary L. K. Padhy, MoRTH ADG Atul Kumar, and NHAI Member Bipnesh Sharma were present during the meetings.
