Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging his personal intervention to strengthen coal transportation and industrial infrastructure in Angul district.
In the letter, Pradhan has requested the upgradation and widening of State Highway-63 (Chhendipada–Angul) along with the construction of bypasses in populated areas. He has also proposed the expansion of the Chhendipada–Jarapada Main Road.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Angul district, the Union Minister noted that the district, located in the central part of Odisha, has a population of around 15 lakh and contributes nearly 5 per cent to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Rich in coal reserves, Angul’s annual coal production is currently 116 million tonnes (MT) and is projected to increase to 250–300 MT by 2033.The district is emerging as a major hub for heavy industries such as steel, aluminium, and thermal power, along with advanced manufacturing and ancillary MSMEs. Key industrial and energy establishments in the region include the NALCO Smelter Plant, NTPC Kaniha, Talcher Super Thermal Power Station, and the extensive coal mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). These facilities form the backbone of Odisha’s energy security. Particularly, the Chhendipada tehsil area holds nearly one-sixth of India’s total coal reserves, making it critically important for the country’s energy security. However, the current road infrastructure — especially State Highway-63 and the Chhendipada–Jarapada Road — has become inadequate to handle the heavy volume of coal transportation. These roads pass through densely populated areas, leading to frequent traffic congestion, road accidents, and growing public discontent, the Minister pointed out.
To address these challenges, Pradhan has made two key proposals such as widening of State Highway-63 (Chhendipada to Angul), converting the existing two-lane road into a four-lane highway and construct bypasses in densely populated stretches to ease traffic flow and reduce accidents.
Besides, his proposal includes expansion of Chhendipada–Jarapada Road. This road connects the mining areas with National Highway-55 and the railway corridor. Its widening will divert traffic from SH-63, create an alternative transportation route, and significantly improve coal logistics.
The Union Minister emphasised that improved road connectivity will not only facilitate smoother coal transportation but will also attract fresh capital investment to the region. It will further boost the socio-economic development of local communities by creating better opportunities for trade, employment, and overall growth.
This letter from the senior Union Minister is expected to draw the Chief Minister’s immediate attention towards fast-tracking these critical road infrastructure projects in Angul district, which holds immense strategic value for both Odisha and the nation’s energy sector.
