Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s coastline is set to undergo a major transformation with the construction of the new 160.18-km Rameshwar–Paradeep Coastal Highway. The project will be developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) at a total capital cost of Rs 8,300.79 crore, according to an official factsheet issued on Sunday.
Designed to provide faster, safer and smoother travel, the project comprises a four-lane access-controlled highway from Rameshwar to Konark and a two-lane highway with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradeep, with a design speed of 100 kmph. Once completed, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by nearly two hours and 30 minutes, significantly improving both passenger travel and freight movement.
Aligned with the principles of PM GatiShakti, the project will connect nine economic nodes and five logistics nodes, further strengthening Odisha’s economic network. It will also improve connectivity to key infrastructure, including Paradip Port, Puri Railway Station, the proposed Puri Airport, and other regional economic centres.
The highway will pass through the districts of Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur, creating seamless connectivity among important cultural, religious, tourism and economic destinations.
The corridor will strengthen links between the world-renowned Jagannath Temple in Puri, the historic Konark Sun Temple and the revered Ramchandi Temple, making pilgrimages more convenient for millions of devotees who visit Odisha every year.
Improved road infrastructure will not only reduce travel time but also enhance the overall pilgrimage experience by ensuring safer, faster and more comfortable travel for tourists and devotees. The proposed airport infrastructure in the region is also expected to reinforce Odisha’s position as a major spiritual tourism destination by improving accessibility for visitors from across India and abroad.
The Rameshwar–Paradeep corridor is poised to emerge as a new coastal tourism gateway, connecting beaches, heritage sites, biodiversity hotspots and local communities along Odisha’s eastern coastline.
With enhanced connectivity between Puri, Konark and Paradeep, these destinations are expected to evolve into an integrated tourism circuit, offering visitors a comprehensive coastal experience that blends spiritual heritage, ancient architecture, pristine beaches and rich natural ecosystems.
The highway will also create new opportunities for beach tourism, eco-tourism and nature-based travel by improving access to important ecological destinations, including wildlife habitats and the renowned Gahirmatha turtle nesting grounds.
Enhanced connectivity is expected to promote sustainable tourism by increasing awareness of Odisha’s unique coastal biodiversity and ongoing conservation efforts. Visitors will enjoy better access to the state’s natural landscapes while supporting responsible tourism initiatives aimed at protecting fragile ecosystems.
The project is also expected to generate new livelihood opportunities for local communities by encouraging the growth of hotels, homestays, restaurants, handicraft markets and other tourism-related businesses along the corridor.
