Odisha's Mega-Highway Makeover: A Rs 4,137 Crore Leap.

On April 17, 2025, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched 19 major national highway projects in Odisha, with a total investment of Rs 4,137 crore. The event took place at Baramunda Maidan in Bhubaneswar and saw the laying of foundation stones for 17 new infrastructure projects.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida and KV Singh Deo, along with several MPs, MLAs, and other dignitaries, were present at the ceremony. During the event, the Minister also inaugurated completed sections of NH-59 and NH-130CD, covering a combined length of 44 km, built at a cost of Rs 841 crore. These newly developed segments are expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve road quality in the region.

Out of the 17 newly announced projects, 13 focus on highway development, with a total allocation of Rs 2,905 crore. These will involve the construction and widening of roads across key districts such as Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh, covering a distance of approximately 105 km.

Additionally, the plan includes the construction of four major bridges worth Rs 427 crore, stretching over 4.82 km. These will be built on crucial stretches of the Berhampur–Gopalpur and Rourkela–Biramitrapur highways under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).

News by Rahul Yelligetti.