Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will construct a 451 km long coastal highway along the coastal line under the Bharatmala project, an official said on Saturday.
This was decided on Saturday at a meeting of the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI), Odisha region, chaired by development commissioner R. Balakrishnan.
According to the official, two expert consultants have been engaged for a preliminary survey and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The DPR is expected to be completed by February next year, he said.
The NHAI was also advised to share the plan with the respective departments and collectors for their considered inputs.
Dharmanada Sarangi, Chief General Manager of NHAI, said the proposed road will pass through Chhatraput-Satapada, Konark-Astaragnga-Nuagaon-Paradeep-Ratanpur-Satabhaya-Dhamara-Basudevpur-Talapada-Chandipur-Chandaneswar-Digha.
Over 178 villages will be connected through the road while several bridges will be constructed on Rushikulya, Palur sahib canal, Chilka lake, Dhanikhiya river, Nua, Khushabhadra, Kadua, Devi, Hansua, Mahanadi, Gobari, Patashala, Brahmani, Baitarani, Mantei, Panchapara, Dubdubi and Subarnarekha river.
The road would also serve as a highway linkage to all the ports in the state.