Odisha Unveils Three Mega Expressway Projects in State Budget to Revolutionize Connectivity
The state of Odisha is poised for a transformative upgrade in its road infrastructure, with three colossal projects announced in the recent state budget. These initiatives aim to significantly enhance connectivity between the eastern and western regions as well as the northern and southern parts of the state, marking a major leap forward in transportation development.
Details of the Three Major Road Projects
The budget, presented on Friday, includes the following key projects:
- Berhampur-Jeypore Road: A 287-kilometer road connecting the southern town of Jeypore in Koraput district with the coastal city of Berhampur in Ganjam district. This project is estimated to cost Rs 9,000 crore.
- NaMo Expressway: A 400-kilometer expressway that will link Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district to Ambabhona in Bargarh district. As part of the East-West Corridor, it is projected to cost around Rs 7,000 crore.
- Atal Expressway: A 969-kilometer expressway stretching from Motu in Malkanagiri district to Tiringi in Mayurbhanj district. This North-South Corridor project will connect nine districts and has an estimated cost of approximately Rs 15,000 crore.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the state's commitment to infrastructure development in his budget speech, stating, "We will build world-class infrastructure for our future generation."
Additional Infrastructure Developments in Odisha
Beyond these new expressways, Odisha is witnessing substantial progress in other transportation sectors. More than 50 national highway projects are currently underway across the state, representing an investment exceeding Rs 21,000 crore. Furthermore, the Union Budget this year has sanctioned new roads and improvements to approximately 400 kilometers of national highways in Odisha, with an estimated cost of over Rs 15,000 crore.
Another significant project is the proposed six-lane access-controlled greenfield Capital Region Ring Road, also known as the Bhubaneswar Bypass. This 110.8-kilometer road will start from Rameswar on NH-16 in Khurda district and extend to Tangi in Cuttack district. With an estimated cost of Rs 8,307 crore, it is designed to connect rural and urban centers in Khurda, Dhenkanal, and Cuttack districts. The construction will be divided into three packages: Rameswar to Bilipada (40.2 km), Bilipada to Gobindpur (30.3 km), and Gobindpur to Tangi (40.3 km).
Railway and Road Development Initiatives
The state government has also proposed an allocation of Rs 7,500 crore under the Road Development Programme. This fund is intended for upgrading state highways and major district roads to standard specifications, constructing major bridges, and ensuring smooth traffic flow in urban areas.
On the railway front, the Union Budget announced several Odisha-specific initiatives, including a record allocation of Rs 10,928 crore for railway projects. These projects aim to strengthen connectivity, support ongoing infrastructure works, and boost industrial growth. Notably, the East-West freight corridor passing through Odisha is expected to improve logistics and link industrial clusters with major markets. Currently, railway works worth over Rs 90,659 crore are in progress across the state.
One of the 40 ongoing railway projects is the Khurda Road-Balangir new line, which is anticipated to bridge the east-west divide once commissioned by the end of this year.
These comprehensive infrastructure developments underscore Odisha's strategic focus on enhancing transportation networks to foster economic growth, improve accessibility, and create a robust foundation for future generations.
