Odisha cruises with coastal highway

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed the construction of National Highways along the coastline of Odisha. After preliminary survey, the proposed alignment of the said stretch was shared with the state government in a meeting held last year, to which they agreed in-principle. Subsequently, the same was approved in-principle by the competent authority of NHAI in November, 2016. Accordingly, the consultants have undertaken detailed survey of the stretch for the approved alignment and field investigation and survey works have been substantially completed. The feasibility report for Ratanpur to Digha section has been received and same in respect of Gopalpur to Ratanpur is under preparation, and is likely to be submitted by July, 2017. The project will involve acquisition of huge area of private land and forest land apart from existing land under the state government. The land acquisition will start after approval of DPR and then after availability of at least 90% of land, the project will be commenced, said official sources.