Centre approves Rs 44,771cr for road infra in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar-Paradip greenfield corridor

In a massive boost to Odisha’s infrastructure, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday approved road development projects worth Rs 44,771 crore for the 2025–26 financial year. The approvals cover five National Highway projects, five State Highway projects, and several initiatives under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).

State Minister for Works, Law and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, who met Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday, announced the approvals following a detailed review of Odisha’s highway and connectivity needs.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs 30,000 crore for National Highway expansion and upgradation, while Rs 13,000 crore has been allocated for State Highway projects. A significant addition is the Centre’s nod to develop a new Greenfield high-speed corridor between Bhubaneswar and Paradip, aimed at strengthening direct connectivity to the major port city.

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Key National Highway projects approved include converting the Bhubaneswar–Puri road into an 8-lane highway, upgrading the 140 km Tangi–Puintola–Ichhapuram stretch into 6 lanes, expanding the 400 km Rourkela–Bada Bil–Paradip via Duburi corridor into 8 lanes, and widening the 68 km Pallahara–Pitiri stretch under NH-149 into 4 lanes.

In addition, Rs 1,500 crore has been sanctioned under the CRIF scheme, fulfilling commitments made during the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar in November 2025.

The Centre has also approved Rs 13,141 crore for State Highway projects, including widening the Barpali–Balangir, Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagarh, Balangir–Nayagarh, Hinjilikatu Bypass, and Mohana–Paralakhemundi roads, alongside upgrades on NH-26.

The new projects are expected to significantly enhance inter-district connectivity, support industrial corridors, and strengthen Odisha’s transportation network for the coming decade.