Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday launched three major highway projects entailing an investment of ₹2,345 crore in Odisha. Union Minister said it will go a long way in ensuring speedy development in the state.
Gadkari who was accompanied by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, said, “The cooperation and assistance of the state government will be essential for proper implementation of a number of projects being taken up by the Centre for overall economic development of the region,” Gadkari added.
Union Minister Gadkari shared the pictures of the event on his Twitter Handle. While Hailing the Central Government, Gadkari said, ‘For faster growth in Odisha, #ModiGovt has invested 85,000 Cr. in roads. This will not only ease the business, it will also ensure jobs for millions, and bring about a socio-economic revolution.’
For faster growth in Odisha, #ModiGovt has invested 85,000 Cr. in roads. This will not only ease the business, it will also ensure jobs for millions, and bring about a socio-economic revolution. pic.twitter.com/iDW5DknIop
— Nitin Gadkari (मोदी का परिवार) (@nitin_gadkari) February 6, 2019
The projects will considerably improve connectivity of mineral-rich Angul and Dhenkanal districts with the rest of Odisha, Gadkari said while laying the foundation stone for the projects. The three national highway projects, with a total length of 132 km, will cost ₹2,345 crore.
The projects for which the foundation stone was laid include four-laning of the 41.7-km Talcher-Kamakhyanagar section of NH 200/23 (new NH 53) at a cost of ₹795.18 crore, 51.1-km Kamakhyanagar-Duburi section of NH 200 (new NH 53) at a cost of ₹761.11 crore and 39.4-km Duburi-Chandikhole section of NH 200 (new NH 53) at a cost of ₹789.23 crore.
These would include three bypasses, one flyover, 19 vehicular underpasses, nine major and 39 minor bridges and a 45-km of a service road, an official said. The projects will reduce traffic congestion and travel time, which will help in reducing the operating costs of vehicles and bring down the level of pollution, he said.
The projects will also help in generating employment opportunities in the region and improve the socio-economic condition of local people, the ministers said who launched the projects.
Earlier on January 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated developmental projects worth over ₹1550 crore in Odisha. PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the permanent building of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sonepur, to be constructed at a cost of ₹15.81 crores. PM Modi during his visit also inaugurated 6 Passport Sewa Kendras at Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Phulbani, Bargarh, and Balangir.
(With Inputs from Agencies)