Uncertainty looms over coastal highway project in Odisha after NHAI scraps tenders

The fate of the much-awaited coastal highway project, aimed at boosting tourism and communication to the ports of Odisha, is now hanging in balance after the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) cancelled the tenders for the ambitious project.

While NHAI has issued a notification announcing the cancellation of three tenders applied for the Gopalpur-Digha coastal stretch citing administrative reasons, it is believed that the constant opposition and frequent changes in the project plans might have boomeranged for the State.

The NHAI, on 29 July 2022, had invited three tenders for 4-lane 124-km-long stretch connecting Rameswar-Puri, Puri-Kakatpur and Ersama-Ratanpur. However, after one year, the NHAI has cancelled the tenders triggering a political blame game in the State.

While the BJP blamed the alleged negligence of the BJD, non-cooperation and frequent change of project plans cancellation of the tenders, the conch party passed the buck to the Centre. 

“Uncertainty loomed large over the project due to non-cooperation from the State government in providing necessary infrastructure and changing the project plan frequently,” alleged Bibhu Prasad Tarai, BJP leader.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sarat Pattanayak said, “BJD and BJP are two sides of the same coin. The project could not be initiated in the State as BJD has failed to put pressure on the Centre,” 

“As required, the Odisha government has provided necessary plans to the centre,” said Parsuram Dhada, BJD MLA.

It is worthwhile to mention here that, the Odisha government had changed the project design thrice before giving its consent to the project. Still, several BJD leaders opposed the project and threatened to launch a protest. Even now, the project is being opposed in Chilika, Astarang, Jagatsinghpur and Gopalpur.