Bhubaneswar: A major high speed expressway connecting Kharagpur in West Bengal with Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh will pass through nine districts of Odisha, significantly strengthening road connectivity and supporting economic development across the state.
The proposed six lane greenfield expressway will run through Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput districts. The project is part of a larger inter state highway network aimed at improving transport links between eastern and southern India.
Works Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh chaired a high level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar to review the progress of the project and discuss key issues related to the proposed route and land acquisition. Officials examined the alignment of the highway and the steps required to facilitate smooth implementation of the project in Odisha.
The ambitious 1,102 kilometre expressway will pass through four states including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Out of the total length, around 522 kilometres of the corridor will be developed within Odisha, making it one of the largest road infrastructure projects in the state.
The expressway is expected to connect 27 urban centres across Odisha and significantly reduce travel time while improving logistics and freight movement. Among the districts, Ganjam will have the longest stretch of about 97 kilometres of the highway, followed by around 88 kilometres in Dhenkanal and 86 kilometres each in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar. Rayagada will have about 53 kilometres of the expressway passing through it.
Officials believe the project will enhance connectivity to several mineral rich belts in the state and provide a major boost to trade, industry and regional development once completed.
