Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The Centre has been committed to construction of 500-km coastal highway from Chhatrapur to Digha, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said Friday.
Speaking to reporters of 11 states through a video conferencing, Gadkari said, “We are committed to grounding of the project. The detailed project report (DPR) for Rs 5,000 crore project is in progress.”
Soon after acquisition of 80 per cent of land, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) would start construction work, he said.
Asked about the operation of five unauthorized NHAI toll gates in Orissa, the minister said, “I do not know this. However, if it is a fact, I will look into it.”
A senior official of NHAI said the 500-km stretch has been divided into two parts. The first stretch is from Chhatrapur to Ratanpur in Kendrapara (260 km) and the second is from Ratanpur to Digha (240 km). The two private agencies are engaged in conducting a survey for the project.
“On receipt of the survey report, we will place it before the state government, public representatives and local administration of the concerned districts to finalise the route. After the approval of all stakeholders, the DPR will be prepared and land acquisition process started,” said, Aditya Kumar Ray, NHAI general manager.
