Four major bridges on Mahanadi, Baitarani, Brahmani, Kharasrota rivers at Rs 1,264 Cr in Odisha

The Odisha government has plans to construct four major bridges on Mahanadi, Baitarani, Brahmani, and Kharasrota rivers to strengthen road connectivity in the State. A total of Rs 1,264 crore is to be spent for the constructions, official sources said on Monday.

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Locations of the 4 major bridges in Odisha

According to the sources, four major bridge projects have been approved for construction. These projects include a second bridge over Baitarani River near Chandbali on Bhadrak-Chandbali road at an estimated cost of Rs 319 crore, a second bridge over Kharasrota River at Bharigada on Cuttack-Chandbali road at an estimated cost of Rs 284 crore, a second bridge over Brahmani River at Patrapur on Cuttack-Chandbali road at an estimated cost of Rs 307 crore, and a major bridge over Mahanadi to connect Jharsuguda and Bargarh districts on Pujaripali Ghat-Jarimul road at an estimated cost of Rs 354 crore.

The bridges are expected to play a significant role in improving road connectivity of the State.

Besides, the Works Department has chalked out certain reform measures such as new technologies like milling, white topping, use of waste plastic in road construction, use of full depth reclamation (FDR) in the development of important State Highways and urban roads, proper maintenance of roads and bridges using modern technological methods.

Maintenance and rehabilitation of the roads and bridges will reportedly be done using condition assessment (Condition Survey) methods.

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“A new Odisha State Road Policy is also being formulated. Once it is finalised, the road and bridge construction and maintenance of various engineering works can be systematic and improved,” a senior official of the department said.

Notably, the budget for the FY 2025-26, under Administrative Expenditure is over Rs 2,996 crore while Programme Expenditure is over Rs 9,451 crore. Thus, the total Budget is over Rs 12,448 crore.