During a public address in Bhubaneswar’s Baramunda area, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced an ambitious roadmap to transform Odisha’s highway infrastructure. He said that Odisha’s roads will soon rival those in the United States in terms of quality, scale, and connectivity.
Why Road Infrastructure Matters
Gadkari began his speech by paying tribute to Lord Jagannath and stated that roads are the backbone of any country’s development. According to him, Odisha is rich in natural resources—like minerals, forests, and ports—and improving its road network is crucial to unlocking the full potential of its tourism, trade, and industry sectors.
Over ₹2 Lakh Crore Invested in Road Projects in Odisha
Gadkari outlined the magnitude of ongoing infrastructure work in the state:
- Projects completed: ₹60,000 crore
- Projects under construction: ₹60,000 crore
- Projects to begin soon: ₹75,000 crore
- Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) being prepared: ₹40,000 crore
Total target in the next two years: ₹3 lakh crore worth of road projects
Vision: Odisha’s road infrastructure will be comparable to American highways
Key Highway Projects Unveiled
Gadkari officially launched 19 new highway projects worth over ₹4,000 crore, covering 154 km across Odisha. These projects are expected to:
- Improve travel time
- Enhance safety
- Boost economic and industrial development
- Create jobs in construction and logistics
Major Corridor Projects & Timelines
Here are some flagship highway projects the Union Minister detailed:
| Project | Length | Cost | Completion Target | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor (via Odisha) | 464 km (241 km in Odisha) | ₹20,000 crore (₹8,000 crore in Odisha) | Sept 2026 (Odisha stretch by Dec 2025) | Boosts inter-state transport and trade |
| Ranchi-Sambalpur Corridor | 150 km | ₹8,000 crore | Dec 2028 | Travel distance reduced by 65 km |
| Cuttack-Angul-Sambalpur Corridor | 262 km | ₹5,000 crore | June 2025 | Boosts interstate transport and trade |
Major Additions: Ring Roads & Bridges
Here are some regional developments aimed at better access and shorter commutes:
- Chandikhole-Paradip Corridor: 8-lane highway (77 km) worth ₹4,000 crore; to be completed by Dec 2026
- Will reduce travel time from 2 hours to 1 hour
- Boosts logistics between Paradip Port and industrial hubs
- Chandigarh-Barbil Greenfield Highway: 6-lane road (200 km) worth ₹6,000 crore
- Helps transport steel and magnesium from Barbil
- Award process next year; DPR already done
- Bhubaneswar Ring Road: 6-lane road to ease city congestion
- Approved by the Ministry; awaiting cabinet approval
New Projects Requested by Odisha CM – All Approved
Gadkari confirmed that the Chief Minister’s proposal for 13 new projects worth ₹9,000 crore has been accepted, including:
- Better access roads to major industries like:
- JK Paper Mill
- NALCO
- IMFA
- Utkal Aluminum Plant
- Deogarh-Khairapalli Road (71 km): ₹472 crore; tendering soon
- Bridge over Tel River (Kalahandi): To improve the link with Bolangir
- 2-lane road in Sonepur (9 km): DPR prepared
- Bridge over Chilika Lake: ₹500 crore; DPR underway
Overall Impact of These Projects
- Economic Boost: Enhanced transportation will ease the movement of goods and raw materials
- Tourism Growth: Better roads mean improved access to Odisha’s natural and cultural sites
- Industrial Development: Ports and industrial corridors will become more connected
- Employment Generation: Both direct (construction) and indirect (transport, trade) job creation
- Environmental Considerations: Many projects use greenfield alignments to reduce disruption
Nitin Gadkari’s vision is bold: Transform Odisha into a model state for infrastructure, and ensure its highways match the global best standards. With ₹3 lakh crore worth of investments lined up and multiple mega-projects underway, Odisha is well on track to becoming a national logistics and industrial hub.
