Centre Clears ₹44,771 Crore Road Development Plan for Odisha
Massive investments to upgrade National and State Highways, build a new high-speed corridor, and strengthen long-term connectivity
Bhubaneswar : In a major push to Odisha’s infrastructure growth, the Union Government has approved road development projects worth ₹44,771 crore for the financial year 2025–26. The clearance from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways marks one of the state’s biggest annual allocations in recent years, covering upgrades to National Highways, State Highways, and several projects under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
Odisha’s Minister for Works, Law and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, announced the approvals after meeting Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. During the meeting, the state reviewed critical highway requirements, connectivity gaps, and the need for new corridors to support economic expansion.
Of the total outlay, ₹30,000 crore has been sanctioned for National Highway expansion and upgradation across Odisha. Another ₹13,000 crore has been allocated specifically for State Highway development. A major highlight is the Centre’s green signal for a new Greenfield high-speed corridor between Bhubaneswar and Paradip. The proposed express corridor is expected to drastically improve traffic flow, strengthen port connectivity, and accelerate industrial development in the coastal belt.
Several high-impact National Highway projects have been approved as part of the new package. These include converting the busy Bhubaneswar–Puri road into an eight-lane highway, upgrading the 140 km Tangi–Puintola–Ichhapuram stretch to six lanes, and widening the 400 km Rourkela–Bada Bil–Paradip corridor via Duburi into eight lanes. Additionally, the 68 km Pallahara–Pitiri section under NH-149 will be expanded into four lanes to improve mobility and reduce travel time for commuters and transporters.
Beyond National Highways, the Centre has sanctioned ₹1,500 crore under the CRIF scheme to support state-specific infrastructure commitments made during the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar in November 2025. These funds will help accelerate medium-scale road projects and rural connectivity works that complement larger highway networks.
State Highway development has also received a substantial boost, with the Centre approving ₹13,141 crore for widening and strengthening key routes. Important projects include upgrades to the Barpali–Balangir road, the Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagarh corridor, the Balangir–Nayagarh route, the Hinjilikatu Bypass, and the Mohana–Paralakhemundi stretch. Several enhancements will also be made along NH-26 to ensure smoother freight movement and safer travel for road users.
Officials said the approvals will dramatically improve inter-district connectivity, reduce congestion, and support Odisha’s expanding industrial corridors—particularly those linked to mining, manufacturing, and port logistics. With multiple large-scale road projects set to begin simultaneously, the state is expected to benefit from faster goods movement, improved tourism links, and strengthened disaster-response routes over the next decade.
The proposals were finalised during detailed discussions attended by Principal Secretary Works Sanjay Kumar Singh, EIC and Special Secretary L. K. Padhy, MoRTH Additional Director General Atul Kumar, and NHAI Member Bipnesh Sharma. The Centre’s backing signals renewed focus on building a modern, high-capacity transportation network across Odisha, aimed at supporting economic diversification and long-term regional development.
Also Read: Odisha Gains Momentum for Coastal Highway Push as Centre Clears ₹8,300-Crore Stretch
