Chandikhole-Bhadrak Quadrilateral Corridor to get upgraded

The Golden Quadrilateral, which connects four major metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, is all set to receive a significant upgrade with the conversion of the Chandikhole-Bhadrak section of the Kolkata-Chennai corridor into a six-lane highway. The new six-lane highway will cover the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, serving as the primary arterial road connecting the coastal areas of Odisha. This section will cater to interstate traffic carrying agricultural, manufactured, and industrial products, as well as local mining traffic.

In addition to linking important commercial centers, the highway also connects popular tourist destinations such as the Aradadi Akhandalmani Temple, Maa Biraja Temple, Sveta Baraha and Bhadrakali Temple, Dhamnagar, Dhamra Port, and Chandbali river port. The Union transport minister stated that the Ministry is working towards ensuring smooth and safe traffic flow while also enhancing road capacity, speed, and safety. These upgrades will match the benchmarks set for National Highways and contribute towards the economic development of the region, while boosting interstate goods and passenger movement.

The Golden Quadrilateral is India's longest highway network, with a total length of 5,846 km. It ranks fifth on the list of the world's longest highways and is the dream project of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who laid the foundation for it in 1999. The six-lane upgrade will significantly enhance the capacity and efficiency of the Golden Quadrilateral, which is an essential component of India's transportation infrastructure.