Berhampur-Jeypore Expressway at an approximate cost of Rs 9,000 crore, Centre greenlights Rs 15,000 crore for Odisha highway projects.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday agreed in principle to execute four highway projects worth Rs 15,000 crore proposed by the state government. Odisha to submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth Rs 3,400 crore for additional NH development under Setu Bandhan Yojana.

Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari reviewed the progress of 51 ongoing national highway projects in Odisha in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Projects worth Rs 21,650 crore were discussed at the review meeting.

The chief minister requested Gadkari to consider Odisha’s proposal for six-laning of 60 km-long Bhubaneswar-Puri highway at an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 crore, 200 km of Chandikhole-Barbil at Rs 10,000 crore, four-laning of 54 km-long Khurda-Nayagarh (NH-57) at Rs 1,100 crore and four-laning of 46 km of Kesinga-Junagarh (NH-26) at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. It was decided that the ministry will take steps for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) of the four projects. The chief minister informed Gadkari that Rs 2,500 crore has been sanctioned for two-laning of 246 km Koraput-Podamari project (NH-326) while Rs 500 crore has been disbursed this year under the Central Roads and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and additional funds if required will be sanctioned.

He further said Rs 250 crore has been earmarked under Setu Bandhan Yojana and the state will submit DPRs worth Rs 3,400 crore for development of NH projects in the state. Majhi further requested the Union minister to study the feasibility of 10 NH projects.

Describing the 969 km Motu-Tiringi Atal Expressway passing through nine districts as the backbone of Odisha, the chief minister said the project estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore will provide a corridor between west and east. He also submitted the proposal of Jharsuguda-Balasore highway project (383 km) at an approximate cost of Rs 7,500 crore, Nuapada-Astaranga (491 km) at Rs 9,500 crore, Brundababahal-Gopalpur (357 km) at Rs 6,800 crore and Sambalpur-Satabhaya (404 km) at Rs 5,477 crore to Gadkari for consideration and approval.

Four grand ring road proposals submitted by Majhi for approval of the ministry include Berhampur-Jeypore (287 km) at an approximate cost of Rs 9,000 crore and Jeypore-Rourkela (638 km) at Rs 2,500 crore.

Connecting Odisha

• Centre urged to consider proposal for six-laning of Bhubaneswar NH
• Rs 250 crore earmarked under Setu Bandhan Yojana
• State to submit DPRs worth Rs 3,400 crore development of NH projects

Motu-Tiringi Atal Expressway to be corridor between west and east