Odisha's Ambitious Plan: 8,500 Km of Rural Roads and 200 Bridges

Odisha has set an ambitious target for 2025–26, aiming to construct 8,500 km of all-weather rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) and build 200 bridges through the Setu Bandhan Yojana, Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik announced.

"The state has adequate funds for rural connectivity, and our priority is to link all habitations with durable, all-weather roads," the Minister stated. The 2025–26 budget includes ₹1,700 crore for PMGSY-IV, ₹200 crore for road maintenance, ₹3,470 crore under the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana, and ₹2,000 crore for bridge construction.

Notably, the Centre has allowed the construction of pucca roads to even those habitations with fewer than 100 people, provided they are located within 100–150 metres of revenue villages.

The state’s PMGSY-IV rollout will focus on tribal areas, aspirational blocks, and Naxal-affected regions, with additional alignment under the PM-Janman Yojana targeting tribal hamlets. Odisha’s long-term goal is to build 30,000 km of rural roads and 500 bridges by 2028–29.

At the national level, PMGSY-IV aims to construct 62,500 km of roads, connecting 25,000 habitations, with a total investment of ₹70,125 crore.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.