Odisha Budget: Rs 1000cr allocated for all-weather roads under Namo Express & Atal Express

Odisha has unveiled a record-breaking budget, with the total outlay crossing Rs 3 lakh crore for the first time. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented on Friday a Rs 3.10 lakh crore budget in the State Assembly, marking a 6.9% increase compared to the previous financial year.

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The budget places strong emphasis on rural development, infrastructure expansion, social welfare, and support for economically weaker sections. To improve connectivity in remote and inaccessible regions, Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for the construction of all-weather roads.

Major road connectivity projects under the proposed Namo Express and Atal Express will link Paralakhemundi in Gajapati to Ambabhona in Bargarh, and Motu in Malkangiri to Tiring in Mayurbhanj.

Cultural and religious initiatives also received attention, with Rs 10 crore allocated for a Jagannath Interpretation Centre and Rs 1,000 crore proposed for the Jagannath Museum and Library in Puri. A digital Hundi system will also be introduced to facilitate donations at the Shree Jagannath Temple.

In Bhubaneswar, the State government announced plans for new administrative buildings, including a modern Legislative Assembly complex, a new Secretariat, Odisha Mandap Convention Centre, and a world-class museum.

The budget also includes allocations for the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Chilika restoration, timely farmer payments, and a Rs 5,000 crore corpus fund for paddy procurement.

Additional investments have been earmarked for Mukhyamantri Kisan Yojana, fisheries, flood management, blue economy initiatives, the Mahanadi riverfront development, and interlinking of rivers to boost long-term growth.

The comprehensive budget aims to balance infrastructure development with social welfare and economic sustainability.

Besides, to eliminate regional imbalances in development, Rs 500 crore was proposed for the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), Rs 200 crore each for the Southern Odisha Development Council (SODC) and North Odisha Council (NODC), and Rs 250 crore for infrastructure development in KBK districts.