Odisha CM Welcomes CCEA Nod For Rs 8,300-Cr Coastal Highway Project

(MENAFN- IANS) Bhubaneswar, June 3 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday welcomed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' (CCEA) approval of the Rs 8,300-crore Coastal Highway project from Rameshwar to Paradeep, emphasising that the project will give a major boost to Odisha's coastal economy, enhance regional connectivity, and drive socio-economic development across the region.

Taking to his X handle, CM Majhi said a new chapter in Odisha's infrastructure development begins with the CCEA's approval of the Rs 8,300-crore Coastal Highway from Rameshwar to Paradeep under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Chief Minister stated that this landmark project, spanning key coastal districts of the state, will strengthen connectivity, reduce travel time by nearly 2.5 hours, and create new opportunities for tourism, trade, logistics, and economic growth.

He added that the Coastal Highway will accelerate the transformation of Odisha's coastal economy, enhance regional connectivity, and improve the quality of life for millions of people. It reflects the Government of India's continued commitment to building world-class infrastructure in Odisha.

Additionally, Majhi, on behalf of the people of Odisha, expressed heartfelt gratitude to PM Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for their support and commitment to the state's development and prosperity.

Notably, the CCEA, chaired by PM Modi, on Wednesday approved the construction of the new Coastal Highway from Rameshwar to Paradeep on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) in Odisha, comprising two packages with a combined length of 160.18 km and a combined capital cost of Rs 8,300.79 crore.

According to the official statement, the project section of the new Coastal Highway from Rameshwar to Paradeep passes through Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha.

The existing NH-16 road network, part of the Golden Quadrilateral, is already a six-lane highway passing through major towns Khordha, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack. The existing NH-316 connects Bhubaneswar–Puri and further extends towards Satapada and Konark.

The existing road geometry along the Puri–Satapada and Puri–Konark stretches is poor, with nearly 40 per cent ribbon development along the corridor and high levels of local commuter traffic on the roadside, making the corridor unsuitable for smooth and efficient long-distance vehicular movement.

The projects are proposed to have a four-lane configuration from Rameshwar to Konark (Package-1) and two lanes with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradeep (Package-2), ensuring a design speed of 100 km/hour and improved travel efficiency across the districts of Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur. The projects are aligned with the PM GatiShakti principles and will connect nine economic nodes and five logistics nodes.

This will positively impact the country's Logistics Performance Index (LPI). Upon completion, travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep is expected to reduce by about 2.5 hours.

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