Nitin Gadkari inaugurates, lays foundation stone of 28 national highway projects in Odisha

Nitin Gadkari. File Pic

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 28 national highway (NH) projects worth Rs 6,600 crore in Odisha. Though his visit to Odisha was cancelled at the last minute, Gadkari launched these projects virtually. Union Minister of Railways, Ashvini Vaishnaw was also present at the event.

Among the inaugurated projects were a 79km four-lane road between Baharagora and Singhara on NH-49, valued at Rs 1,203 crore, and a 78km six-lane road from Chandikhol to Bhadrak on NH-16, costing Rs 2,035 crore. Additionally, the minister laid the foundation stones for 26 other road infrastructure projects in the state.

During the event, Gadkari highlighted the significant progress in national highway development in Odisha since 2014. The total length of national highways in the state has increased from 4,639 km to 5,753 km during this period. The ministry has allocated nearly Rs 1.50 lakh-crore for highway development in Odisha, he added.

From 2014 to 2024, around 4,250 km of roads were constructed in Odisha, with an expenditure of approximately Rs 33,000 crore, he said. Furthermore, projects for another 1,312 km of national highways, with an investment of Rs 22,000 crore, are underway and expected to be completed during 2024-25, the minister said. The ministry is also preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the construction of 746 km of roads with an estimated cost of Rs 60,000 crore, he said.

While speaking to the media after the event, union minister Ashvini Vaishnaw said that It is a matter of great joy and happiness that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on infrastructure and the focus on making sure that each and every citizen's life is improved.

Gadkari announced plans for various projects, including a 111km greenfield ring road around Bhubaneswar city, costing Rs 6,253 crore. This project will be divided into two packages and is expected to benefit the residents of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Khurda.

Earlier on February 13, Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 30 national highway projects worth Rs 4,755 crore in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The minister emphasised the government's focus on infrastructure development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that by the end of this year, Odisha's national highway network will resemble roads in the USA.

(With inputs from agencies)