News Brief
‘America-Like Highways’ For Odisha: Gadkari Launches Over Rs 4,000 Crore Road Infra Projects In The State
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday (17 April) launched 19 road infrastructure projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore in Odisha.
Of the 19 projects, two roads worth over Rs 800 crore were inaugurated.
Further, foundation stones were laid for 17 others worth Rs 3,332 crore.
Gadkari greenlit 13 new proposals worth Rs 9,023 crore submitted by CM Majhi, further boosting the state’s infrastructure pipeline.
He laid the foundation stones for 13 national highway projects worth Rs 2,905 crore. As a part of these projects, new roads will be built and existing roads will be widened in Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh districts.
He also laid the foundation stones for four bridges worth Rs 427 crore.
Gadkari also inaugurated the four-laning of the Talcher-Kamakhyanagar section of NH-149 and another section of NH-53. The projects have been executed at a cost of Rs 800 crore.
He also inaugurated vehicle underpasses of NH-16 at Balikuda, Sikharpur and Badachana.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said, "The Centre will provide world-class infrastructure to Odisha, and the people here will soon get America-like highways. The state has ports, minerals and forests. Road connectivity will boost its tourism potential".
Noting that the Centre has undertaken highway projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in the state, Gadkari said projects worth Rs 60,000 crore have already been completed.
