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The Mohan Majhi government has unveiled a new infrastructure vision—constructing the ‘Namo Expressway’ to link Odisha’s western and southern regions. The Chief Minister has directed the Works Department to submit a preliminary report by June 16.
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Expressway to connect Berhampur with Sambalpur
According to sources, the expressway will stretch from Berhampur to Sambalpur, improving connectivity across a major regional corridor. However, political tension is rising over the removal of ‘Biju’ from the project’s name, especially after similar changes in other schemes. The BJD has accused the State government of showing a ‘narrow mindset’, while the BJP defended the move, saying the focus is on development, not politics.
After project completion, the Namo Expressway will connect Berhampur to Sambalpur, and is expected to cost around Rs 7,000 crore, to be built in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Though a detailed project report (DPR) is yet to be prepared, it is expected to be finalised and sent for the Chief Minister’s approval soon.
Back in March 2023, the previous BJD-led government had launched the Biju Expressway from Rourkela to Koraput. The stretch from Rourkela to Sambalpur and Ambapani in Kalahandi is almost complete, while work continues between Kalahandi and Chandili in Koraput, covering a total length of 650 km.
The new government is also planning a Greenfield Highway from Berhampur to Koraput. While the Namo Expressway is being introduced, it's unclear whether this new road will be a part of the earlier Rourkela-Koraput corridor or will carry the Namo Expressway name independently.
BJD MLA Arun Sahoo has alleged a deliberate attempt to erase Biju Patnaik’s name from projects. “This reflects the government’s inferiority complex,” he stated. On the other hand, BJP leaders have urged everyone to avoid politics and welcome development.
Political observers claim that within just a year in power, the Mohan government has successfully disrupted 24 years of BJD-led propaganda. By removing the names of Naveen and Biju Patnaik from multiple schemes, it has made a strategic statement. Now, all eyes are on how the Biju Expressway vs. Namo Expressway issue unfolds.
“Like Expressway, this is going to be a new kind of road connectivity, which is to begin in the days ahead. It will certainly be a connecting factor to promote commerce and other aspects of development in the region,” Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said to OTV.
“Exact alignments are yet to come, and things will become clear after the alignments arrive,” the Works Minister expressed when contacted.
Reported By: T. Gouri Shankar, Jagdish Das, Soumya Ranjan Sahoo
