Bhubaneswar: The double marvel of the double-engine government was evident today during the launch of various highway projects at an event held at Baramunda Ground.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has repeatedly emphasized that the double-engine government accelerates development twofold, and this was visibly demonstrated today.
Proposals for various projects in Odisha were presented by the Chief Minister, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced their immediate approval during the event.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, on a day-long visit to Odisha, inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 19 significant road projects at the Baramunda Ground in Bhubaneswar.
Notably, these projects include the inauguration of two road projects worth ₹845 crore, and the foundation laying and groundbreaking for 17 projects with an estimated cost of ₹3,332 crore. Speakers at the event expressed that these initiatives will accelerate Odisha’s development.
During the program, Union Minister Gadkari approved 13 projects proposed by the Chief Minister, valued at ₹9,023 crore. These projects are:
- Kanaktora-Jharsuguda Road: A 68-km, 4-lane road with an investment of ₹2,000 crore, eliminating 11 black spots and reducing travel time from 3 hours to 1 hour.
- Badarama Wildlife Area Road: A 27-km, 4-lane road with an investment of ₹850 crore.
- Puri-Konark Link Road: A 25-km, 4-lane road with an investment of ₹800 crore.
- Bhanjapur-Telbani Road: A 25-km, 4-lane road with an investment of ₹510 crore.
- Mohana-Koraput Road: A 202-km, 2-lane road with an investment of ₹1,526 crore.
- Kotar-Motu Road: A 186-km road with an investment of ₹1,600 crore.
- Deogarh-Kherapalli Road: A 71-km, 2-lane road with an investment of ₹472 crore.
- Bridge over Ang River: A 2-km, 2-lane bridge with an investment of ₹350 crore.
- Podamari-Mohana Road: A 29-km, 2-lane road with an investment of ₹350 crore.
- Bridge over Tel River in Kalahandi: A 2-km bridge with an investment of ₹92 crore.
- Sonepur Bypass: A 9-km, 2-lane bypass with an investment of ₹178 crore.
- Aska Bypass: An 11-km, 2-lane bypass with an investment of ₹175 crore.
- Kolabira Bypass: A 5-km, 2-lane bypass with an investment of ₹120 crore.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari stated that road projects worth approximately ₹2 lakh crore are underway in Odisha. He noted that ₹60,000 crore worth of projects have been completed, ₹60,000 crore worth of work is ongoing, and an additional ₹75,000 crore worth of upcoming projects will be initiated soon. In the next two years, projects worth ₹3 lakh crore will be implemented.
The Chief Minister proposed ₹800 crore from the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for road improvements in Odisha. Accepting the proposal, Gadkari announced its immediate approval and added ₹200 crore from his own MP fund, totaling ₹1,000 crore for Odisha.
Additionally, Gadkari approved eight bypass projects worth approximately ₹5,000 crore for Odisha, including Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balangir, Nayagarh, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, Phulbani, and Rayagada.
He stated that since the new government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took charge, Odisha’s development has gained momentum. Any proposal submitted by the Odisha government will be promptly approved, he assured.
In his address, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that roads are a mirror of a region’s development. To fulfill the commitment to Odisha’s growth, the state’s road infrastructure will be strengthened.
He highlighted Odisha’s unprecedented success in attracting investments, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure to implement these projects. A bill to establish the Odisha State Highway Authority has been passed, and a decision has been made to construct 75,000 km of world-class roads in Odisha over the next five years. All roads, from cities to panchayats, will be upgraded.
The Chief Minister added that Union Minister Gadkari has assured that all of Odisha’s proposals will be accepted. Alongside the current proposals, more will be prepared and submitted in the future.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Public Works, Law, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, other MPs, and MLAs.
