Centre approves Rs 8,300 crore for Odisha coastal highway

Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Wednesday said the Union Finance Ministry has approved Rs 8,300 crore for developing the Rameshwar–Paradip stretch of the coastal highway project.

Harichandan told reporters that 60 to 70 per cent of the land acquisition for the project has been completed.

“The Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Finance has approved the alignment of the route from Rameshwar to Paradip and also approved Rs 8,300 crore for the purpose. The approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is pending. After it gives the approval, the NHAI will float a tender for the construction,” he said.

According to the minister, the project includes a four-lane road between Rameshwar and Konark and a two-lane section from Konark to Paradip. He said the 346-km coastal highway will ultimately connect Digha in West Bengal to Rameshwar in Khorda district, with 160 km up to Paradip cleared in the first phase.

Harichandan said the project has been delayed for years, citing multiple alignment changes under the previous BJD government.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty criticised the revised plan, saying the highway was initially designed as a four-lane road but has now been reduced to two lanes in some sections. “Downgrading the scope may result in greater environmental, social, and economic costs later,” he said.

“The BJD will not rest until the coastal highway is delivered in its full capacity. The party will continue to fight for timely, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure,” he added