Major Push for Connectivity: 32 Bridges Approved in Odisha
State targets infrastructure boost under Setu Bandhan Yojana for FY 2025–26 across key districts
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set for a major leap in infrastructure development with the state government approving the construction of 32 new bridges under the Setu Bandhan Yojana for the financial year 2025–26. The decision aims to improve connectivity in ten districts—Bolangir, Subarnapur, Nayagarh, Sambalpur, Malkangiri, Bargarh, Koraput, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Puri—many of which face geographical challenges or have limited transport links.
According to official sources, the move marks a significant step towards strengthening Odisha’s road network and bridging the connectivity gap between rural and urban areas. By targeting districts with difficult terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure, the government hopes to ensure smoother transportation of goods, improved public mobility, and greater access to markets, healthcare, and education.
The Setu Bandhan Yojana is a flagship initiative designed to build bridges in areas where road connectivity is hindered by rivers, streams, or other physical barriers. In many rural pockets, people depend on makeshift arrangements such as ferries or temporary wooden bridges, which are unsafe and unreliable, especially during the monsoon. The new bridges will not only address these issues but also help reduce travel time, cut transport costs, and encourage local economic activity.
Officials said that the project is aligned with Vision Odisha 2036, the state’s long-term roadmap for economic growth and infrastructure expansion. A strong network of roads and bridges is seen as a key driver for unlocking the economic potential of western and southern Odisha, where development indicators have historically lagged behind the coastal belt.
The Public Works Department (PWD) will be the nodal agency for implementing the 32-bridge project, while the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC) Limited—another state government undertaking—will partner in executing selected works. The tendering process and site inspections are expected to commence in the coming months, with construction likely to start soon after.
In addition to these 32 bridges, the government is pushing ahead with plans to construct four major bridges across the Mahanadi, Baitarani, Brahmani, and Kharasrota rivers. These large-scale projects, with a combined estimated cost of Rs 1,264 crore, are aimed at strengthening key road corridors and improving inter-district connectivity.
“A new Odisha State Road Policy is currently under preparation. Once finalised, it will help streamline construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, ensuring a more systematic approach to infrastructure development,” a senior Works Department official said.
Infrastructure experts point out that bridge construction has a direct and lasting impact on regional development. In remote areas, better connectivity allows farmers to transport their produce more efficiently, reduces isolation during floods, and facilitates emergency services. For districts like Malkangiri and Koraput, where hilly terrain and river crossings have long been obstacles, the new bridges are expected to be game-changers.
Local communities in several districts have welcomed the announcement, noting that such projects have been long overdue. In areas like Bolangir and Subarnapur, improved connectivity is also expected to attract investment in small-scale industries and boost tourism potential in heritage-rich regions such as Puri and Cuttack.
The Setu Bandhan Yojana, combined with the upcoming mega bridge projects, underscores the state government’s focus on inclusive infrastructure growth. By targeting both remote rural stretches and major highway corridors, Odisha aims to create a balanced and resilient transport network that supports its vision of becoming a more connected, economically vibrant state by 2036.
