Odisha takes up Rs 7,000-cr Biju Phase-II highway project

The Odisha government has taken up the Phase-II part of the Biju Expressway-1 project, which involves an investment of Rs 7,000 crore. The project is crucial for the economic and social development of the state. This new greenfield project is 305 km long and will connect Berhampur city with Jeypore, passing through 15 blocks in 4 districts, including 43 km in Ganjam, 47 km in Gajapati, 158 km in Rayagada, and 57 km in Koraput. The road will reduce the travel time from Berhampur to Jeypore from 8 hours to 5 hours. Additionally, it will take only 45 minutes to reach Mohana from Berhampur and 1.30 hours to reach Mohana from Rayagada, reducing the current travel time of 4 hours. For the first time in the state, the project will excavate hills and construct a tunnel, which will shorten the road length by 25 to 30 km and further reduce the travel time to less than 2 hours. The project is expected to be completed within three years and will create a new economic corridor in South Odisha. The Phase-II project comes after the successful completion of the construction work of Biju Expressway-1.