Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday okayed the “Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana-Disaster Resilient Roads” scheme, a transformative initiative aimed at constructing robust road infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity during and after natural disasters.
With an outlay of ₹1000 crore, the scheme will be implemented over five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30, targeting the development of approximately 500 km of resilient roads across disaster-prone areas of the state.
The scheme is designed to create durable and sustainable roads that can withstand disaster-related damage with minimal maintenance, serving as critical lifelines for emergency services in affected regions.
Key interventions include raising road embankments above flood levels, constructing protection walls and stone pitching to prevent erosion, ensuring adequate cross-drainage structures to manage floodwater and prevent road breaches, replacing submersible bridges with high-level bridges, and installing catch water drains and breast walls on hilly terrains.
By prioritizing disaster resilience, the scheme aims to minimize disruptions in connectivity, enabling unhindered access to emergency operational services during calamities.
The state government’s focus on sustainable infrastructure underscores its commitment to safeguarding communities in Odisha’s vulnerable regions, which frequently face floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters.
The approval marks a significant step toward strengthening Odisha’s infrastructure, ensuring that roads remain functional and accessible even under adverse conditions.
The initiative is expected to enhance the state’s disaster preparedness and support long-term economic and social stability in disaster-prone areas.
