Odisha Chief Minister took up several important infrastructure projects with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister

Bhubaneswar:2/2/21: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today took up several important infrastructure projects with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on virtual mode.

Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also participated.

Initiating the discussion, Patnaik proposed for early completion of various ongoing NH projects in mines rich Keonjhar district and subsequent eight-laning of the projects.

The Chief Minister added that Keonjhar is quite an important district for the state’s economy and also for the steel industry of the entire country. He further stated that there have been some measures proposed in the Union Budget to increase material availability for steel.

Also, Patnaik proposed a 300 km eight-lane integrated economic corridor from Paradip to Barbil consisting of six stretches. He suggested, in the interim, the option of four-laning of these roads with service roads can also be explored.

The State is willing to be a partner and extend all support to this economic corridor.

He also suggested regular meetings with the Union Minister once in every two months and official level meetings with the Union Government every month to speed up the project.

The Chief Minister also proposed a 300 Km Digha-Satpada coastal Highway and an early solution to various issues relating to this project.

He informed that the State Government has given all necessary clearances for this project and it can be taken up immediately.

Union Minister Gadkari agreed to the Chief Minister’s proposal.

As per the discussion, the 4-laning of 166 kilometers Panikoili-Remuli section of NH-20 is almost over and the rest portion will be completed soon. The Union Minister assured to complete it within one year. Similarly, the 4-laning of 43 kilometers Remuli-Koida and 104-kilometer Singara-Binjabahal NHs will be completed by June 2021.

After the completion of the 4-laning of these roads, steps will be taken for 8-laning of these roads.

As for the Paradip-Barbil economic corridor proposal, the Union Minister assured all support for an early start of this ambitious project.

This will be developed as an integrated 8-lane economic corridor.

Similarly, the issues of port connectivity including Gopalpur, Subarnarekha, Astharang, Paradip, and Dhamara were discussed and it was decided that appropriate steps will be taken for quick completion of these projects.

Among other issues, Ampani-Jaeypore Road which is a part of Biju Express Way, Bhubaneswar-Puri Express Way, and Raipur-Visakhapatnam Road were also discussed.

The Chief Minister thanked Union Minister Gadkari for fruitful discussion over various important infra projects and his assurance for the early completion of a bridge near Kanupur Irrigation Project in Keonjhar district.

Senior officers of Union Government, State Government and the NHAI participated in the discussion.