post news network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 3: More than 178 villages in Orissa will be connected through the 451-km long proposed coastal highway project which will run from Digha in West Bengal to Gopalpur in Ganjam district of the state.
The coastal highway will be constructed under the Bhratmala Pariyojana, revealed development commissioner and chief secretary in-charge R Balakrishnan after a meeting here Saturday. Several National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) and state government officials also attended the meeting.
NHAI Chief General Manager (CGM) Dharmanada Sarangi said the proposed road will pass through Chhatraput, Satapada, Konark, Astaragnga, Nuagaon, Paradeep, Ratanpur, Satabhaya, Dhamara, Basudevpur, Talapada, Chandipur, Chandaneswar and Digha.
Out of the total length around 29 km will be under Ganjam district, 153 km in Puri, 54 km in Jagatsinghpur, 49 km in Kendrapada, 61km in Bhadrak, 99 km in Balasore and 6 km in West Bengal’s East Medinipur.
The highway will have bridges over Rushikulya, Palur sahib canal, Chilka lake, Dhanikhiya, Nua, Khushabhadra, Kadua, Devi, Hansua, Mahanadi, Gobari, Patashala, Brahmani, Baitarani, Mantei, Panchapara, Dubdubi and Subarnarekha, Sarangi said.
Besides, bypass roads will be constructed near Bajrakote, Maludkhas, Brahmagiri, Rebana Nuagoan, Konark, Gagua, Jarimul, Gula, Basudevpur, Anantapur, Gopalpur, Rasalpur and Panchupali.
The highway will boost tourism and industrial activities in the region and also serve as a link to all ports in the state.
Balakrishnan directed the NHAI to ensure the road is architecturally aesthetic and environmentally compatible after consulting forest and CRZ authorities. NHAI was also advised to share the plan with the respective departments and collectors for their inputs.
Two consultants have been engaged for preliminary survey and preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) which is expected to be ready by February 2017.
