Odisha Sets Ambitious Target of 75,000 km Roads as State Pushes for Connectivity-Led Growth
84th Indian Roads Congress Session in Bhubaneswar highlights Odisha’s rising role in national infrastructure planning
Bhubaneswar: In a major push toward connectivity-led development, Odisha has announced an ambitious plan to construct 75,000 kilometers of roads over the next five years. The announcement was made by Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan during a press conference ahead of the 84th Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), which begins in Bhubaneswar.
Harichandan said the massive road-building initiative reflects the state’s renewed commitment to improving accessibility in rural, tribal, and industrial belts—areas that have long required enhanced transport links to unlock economic potential. “Better roads mean better opportunities for farmers, industries, and remote communities. This initiative will redefine mobility in Odisha,” he said.
The 84th IRC Session, hosted at Janata Maidan, marks Odisha’s sixth time hosting the prestigious event since 1934 and its first in a decade. The four-day conference, to be inaugurated by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, is expected to spotlight Odisha as an emerging hub of infrastructure innovation and policy dialogue.
This year’s theme, “Major Advances in Highway Technology and Policy,” is especially significant for the state, which has been expanding its national highway network, introducing greenfield corridors, and promoting sustainable construction practices. With more than 3,500 delegates—including senior engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders—the event is poised to serve as a knowledge exchange platform that could shape road development strategies not only in Odisha but across India.
One of the major attractions of the session is the ‘Open-to-Sky’ Exhibition, featuring the latest advancements in road construction. Technologies such as mechanized mastic asphalt, fly ash utilization, porous concrete, and Nano-Modified Bitumen (NMB) will be showcased—solutions that Odisha is keen to adopt as it scales up its road expansion plans. Officials noted that these technologies could help the state cut costs, improve durability, and reduce carbon footprints.
The conference will also host the 235th IRC Council Meeting and the 85th Indian Roads Research Board Meeting. These sessions will bring together Indian and international experts, government departments, academia, and multilateral agencies to discuss innovative financing, climate-resilient roads, and the integration of smart technologies into future transport systems.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is set to attend the inaugural ceremony, along with Union Ministers Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra and Madhya Pradesh Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh, signaling strong cross-governmental participation. Their presence underscores the growing focus on Odisha’s infrastructure as a cornerstone for economic growth, industrial expansion, and regional connectivity.
Beyond official discussions, the conference will end with post-event tours to Puri and Konark, giving delegates a glimpse of Odisha’s cultural heritage and tourism potential. Organizers say these visits will help position the state not only as an infrastructure frontrunner but also as an attractive destination for tourism and investment.
With the state government setting an ambitious target of constructing 75,000 km of roads, the IRC session becomes a timely forum to attract expertise, technology, and collaboration. As Odisha accelerates toward becoming a logistics and industrial hub of eastern India, improved road infrastructure is expected to play a central role in driving jobs, boosting regional trade, and enhancing the overall quality of life for its citizens.
