In a significant development for Odisha's infrastructure, the central government on Tuesday approved road development projects valued at ₹$44,771$ crore for the 2025–26 financial year. The Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry granted approval for five National Highways projects, five State Highway projects, and various initiatives funded under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
Odisha’s Minister for Works, Law, and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, announced the sanctions following a meeting with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday, where they conducted a detailed review of the state's highway and connectivity requirements.
The Centre has allocated ₹$30,000$ crore for the expansion and upgradation of National Highways, with another ₹$13,000$ crore earmarked for State Highway projects. A crucial addition is the approval to develop a new Greenfield high-speed corridor linking Bhubaneswar and Paradip, which will significantly improve direct access to the major port city.
Key Projects Approved Prominent National Highway Projects include: Converting the Bhubaneswar–Puri road into an 8-lane highway.
Upgrading the 140 km Tangi–Puintola–Ichhapuram stretch to 6 lanes. Expanding the 400 km Rourkela–Bada Bil–Paradip via Duburi corridor to 8 lanes. Widening the 68 km Pallahara–Pitiri stretch under NH-149 to 4 lanes.
An additional ₹$1,500$ crore has been sanctioned under the CRIF scheme, fulfilling commitments made during the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar in November 2025.
The Centre also approved ₹$13,141$ crore for State Highway projects, including the widening of major roads like Barpali–Balangir, Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagarh, Balangir–Nayagarh, Hinjilikatu Bypass, and Mohana–Paralakhemundi roads, alongside upgrades on NH-26.
These new infrastructure projects are poised to greatly enhance inter-district connectivity, support industrial corridors, and bolster Odisha’s overall transportation network for the coming decade.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Works Sanjay Kumar Singh, EIC and Special Secretary LK Padhy, MoRTH ADG Atul Kumar, and NHAI Member Bipnesh Sharma.
Also read: Odisha Assembly adjourned sine die 18 days ahead of schedule
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