Bhubaneswar: Centre Tuesday approved Rs 44,771 crore for major national and state highway projects in Odisha, giving a substantial boost to the state’s infrastructure. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways cleared the proposals, aimed at improving connectivity and driving economic growth.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed the projects in New Delhi. The projects are expected to be completed in the 2025–26 fiscal, significantly strengthening the state’s road network.
One of the major highlights is the 8-lane expansion of the Bhubaneswar–Puri highway, which is expected to ease rising traffic and ensure faster, smoother travel between the twin cities. Another key project is the 6-lane upgrade of the 140 km Tangi–Puitola–Ichhapuram stretch, which will significantly improve regional connectivity across multiple towns.
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Additionally, the 400 km Rourkela–Barbil–Paradip corridor, a key route for freight movement to Paradip Port, will be expanded to 8 lanes. A 68 km stretch of NH-149, from Palalahara to Pitiri, will also be upgraded to 4 lanes to ease congestion in the area.
Alongside national highways, several key state highways are also set for upgrades. The Barpali–Bolangir, Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagadh, and Brahmapur–Kalushundhpur roads will be widened to 4 lanes, ensuring smoother travel across major cities and districts. The Brahmapur–Kalushundhpur stretch, in particular, will further strengthen industrial and commercial connectivity.
In another major development, the government has approved a new Greenfield Road Corridor connecting Bhubaneswar directly to Paradip Port. The corridor is expected to be a game-changer, significantly improving port access and accelerating trade and economic activity. By linking the state capital with one of Odisha’s most crucial ports, the project will greatly strengthen regional connectivity.
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Minister Harichandan thanked Union Minister Gadkari for his continued support in strengthening Odisha’s road infrastructure. He noted that the upcoming expansions will significantly ease transportation across urban and rural areas, while giving a strong push to the state’s economic growth.
The approval follows productive deliberations at the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar in November 2025, where the Centre had also cleared a Rs 1,500-crore plan under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). With these fresh sanctions, Odisha’s road network is poised for a major upgrade, improving travel efficiency, boosting industrial activity, and strengthening.