Bhubaneswar: The 300-km long Paradip-Barbil road will be converted into eight-lane highway, informed Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday.
A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting between Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik via video conferencing, said Pradhan.
Once developed, the road, which covers Keonjhar mining exploration and mining works, Kalinga Nagar steel cluster and Paradip industrial area among others, is expected to prove instrumental in the transportation of minerals from Keonjhar district.
"Out of the 300 million metric tonne steel production in the country in the upcoming days, around 50-60 million metric tonne production will be on this road from Paradip to Barbil," he said.
Pradhan further said that the Odisha CM has assured all cooperation for the Gopalpur-Digha Coastal Highway project.
A decision has been taken to extend the coastal highway up to Satpada. Besides, steps will be taken in the next phase to extend it up to Gopalpur, he informed adding that tender will be floated for the project as soon as the Odisha government issues NOC.
"Discussion on the Ring Road in Bhubaneswar was also held during the meeting," the Petroleum Minister added.