Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved a major road infrastructure project that will reduce travel time between Pipili and Konark from about 90 minutes to just 30 minutes.
The decision was taken on Friday during a high-level review meeting on road connectivity in Puri district, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
According to officials, the proposed greenfield corridor will span 40 km with a width of 200 feet and will be developed as a four-lane expressway. Vehicles will be able to travel at speeds of up to 100 kmph. Design work has already begun, and land acquisition will start after necessary clearances, the Deputy CM said.
To complement the new highway, the existing Pipili–Konark road—which witnesses heavy congestion during the tourist season—will also be widened from 7 to 10 metres. Together, the projects aim to improve access to the Konark Sun Temple, ease traffic, and strengthen the region’s overall road network.
The review meeting also discussed several other projects. In Puri town, the road from Taj International to Jagannath Stadium will be expanded to four lanes, while surveys are planned for stretches including Chaitanya Road to Balisahi (leading to Jagannath Temple), Dolamandap Sahi Road, and the Jhadeshwari Club–Medical Chhak route.
In Nimapara constituency, plans were finalised for a four-lane road from Charichhak to Astarang and another linking Jalarpur and Charichhak.
Officials said these projects would significantly enhance connectivity across Puri district while boosting both tourism and local development.
