MoRTH approves ₹2,000-cr eight-lane road project in Odisha

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has floated a tender for the ₹2,000 crore 77-km Paradip-Chandikhole eight-lane road project, which is part of the Paradip-Barbil economic corridor. The feasibility study and detailed project report (DPR) for the Paradip-Chandikhole stretch are also completed.

The project is aimed at connecting the mineral-rich areas of the state with Paradip port via the Kalinganagar industrial area. Once implemented, it will be a huge boost to connectivity as NHAI is already in possession of the land. Currently, there is no eight-lane road in Odisha except the Grand Road in Puri. The 300-km Paradip-Barbil economic corridor will be developed in four stretches — Paradip to Chandikhole, Chandikhole to Panikoli, Panikoili to Rimuli and Rimuli-Bhadrasahi (near Barbil). The four-lane Chandikhole-Panikoli road is being upgraded to a six-lane while four-laning of the Panikoli to Rimuli and Rimuli to Bhadrasahi stretches are in the final stages of completion.