Odisha is poised to witness a transformative shift in its transport infrastructure, with the unveiling of 19 national highway projects worth ₹4,137 crore, part of a broader ₹2 lakh crore highway development blueprint.
The initiatives, aimed at reshaping the state’s road network to meet global standards, reflect the central government’s strategy to integrate regional economies with national growth corridors, while addressing long-standing connectivity challenges in the eastern state. According to senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time, strengthen tourism circuits, and provide reliable logistics access to Odisha’s resource-rich zones—home to critical mineral belts, dense forests, and a long coastline. The infrastructure boost is expected to support eco-sensitive transport models and foster resilient urban-rural mobility.
The latest batch of projects covers a wide geographic spread, with new highways and widening works planned across Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh districts. Additionally, four major bridges with a combined length of 4.82 km, budgeted at ₹427 crore, will improve all-weather access to underserved regions. These bridges are being built under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund and align with efforts to modernise arterial roadways without compromising the surrounding ecosystems. In a key development, a six-lane upgrade to the critical Bhubaneswar–Puri highway—at an estimated cost of ₹1,200 crore—has received central approval. The planned revamp aims to cut travel time by half, from 90 minutes to 45, boosting religious tourism, particularly to the famed Jagannath Temple. The state government has pushed for an eight-lane configuration with dedicated service roads to future-proof the corridor for the next century. Further enhancing the state capital’s connectivity, the proposed ₹7,000 crore Capital Region Ring Road is awaiting Union Cabinet clearance. This ambitious ring road, planned to stretch from Rameswaram in Khurda to Tangi in Cuttack, is expected to decongest the urban core and enable efficient freight movement, a move welcomed by urban mobility experts and logistics operators.
Apart from enhancing intercity routes, the push also supports green mobility transitions. The infrastructure ministry has committed to integrating environmentally sustainable practices such as solar-powered lighting, tree plantation along medians, and water recharge systems alongside the new roadways. Officials added that newer corridors will be designed to meet green building codes and zero net-carbon goals over their lifecycle. A separate second corridor connecting Ranchi to Sambalpur, estimated at ₹8,000 crore, and the upcoming completion of the Chandikhol–Paradip expressway by end-2026 are both expected to catalyse industrial growth and port-based trade. The two corridors are vital for connecting hinterland economies with Odisha’s maritime infrastructure, making them strategic not only for regional development but also for India’s national logistics vision.
Ongoing works under the current investment pipeline are valued at ₹60,000 crore, while an equivalent amount has already been executed. With another ₹75,000 crore worth of proposals in the planning stages, Odisha’s highway development is expected to generate substantial employment, support local contractors and supply chains, and ensure long-term returns on public infrastructure investment. Inaugurations at the ground level have included the four-laning of the Talcher–Kamakhyanagar stretch of NH-149 and another section of NH-53, built at a cost of ₹800 crore. Vehicle underpasses along NH-16 at Balikuda, Sikharpur, and Badachana were also opened to facilitate safer crossings and ease commuter movement.
Officials stressed the importance of ensuring that development doesn’t come at the cost of ecological damage. Many of the projects are being guided by environmental impact assessments, and consultations with local communities are being prioritised during the design and execution phases. By aligning these efforts with the Smart Cities Mission and PM Gati Shakti goals, Odisha is being positioned as a future-ready state, capable of absorbing population growth and economic expansion without compromising on sustainable development. As plans roll out, the state’s highway grid will not only improve its connectivity with the rest of India but also provide a robust platform for green growth, equitable access, and infrastructure-led urban rejuvenation.
In the words of officials spearheading the development, this is not just about building roads—it’s about connecting futures, and Odisha is now firmly on the path towards a smarter, cleaner, and more connected tomorrow.
Odisha Set to Transform Roads with American Style Highways and Smart Connectivity
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