Odisha unveils 300-km eight-lane road widening

The 300-km Paradip-Barbil road in Odisha will soon be widened to eight lanes. Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed that a decision to this effect has already been taken during the meeting with state Chief Minister and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. The Paradip-Barbil economic corridor will play a pivotal role in the development of Barbil and Kalinganagar steel cluster. Apart from this, the state has decided the quick completion of various ongoing national highway (NH) projects in mines-rich Keonjhar district and subsequent eight-laning of the projects. There have been some measures proposed in the Union Budget to increase material availability of steel for the construction of the 300-km long eight-lane integrated economic corridor from Paradip to Barbil consisting of six stretches. The state is willing to be a partner and extend all support to this economic corridor. The Chief Minister suggested early solutions to various issues relating to the proposed 300-km Digha-Satpada coastal highway. He informed that the state government has given all necessary clearances for this project and it can be taken up immediately. Similarly, the issues of ports connectivity including Gopalpur, Subarnarekha, Astharang, Paradip and Dhamara were discussed and it was decided that appropriate steps will be taken for quick completion of these projects.