Bhubaneswar: Government of Odisha in Department of Works has launched an ambitious infrastructure overhaul under a comprehensive Three Year Action Plan, targeting a massive modernizing of the road and bridge network across the state.
Championed by Principal Secretary Works, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh with the active support of Law, Works, and Excise Minister Shri Prithiviraj Harichandan, the strategic roadmap has received strong backing from Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, who has placed deep trust in the Shri Singh’s leadership to drive transparency and systemic efficiency.
A central priority of the newly structured action plan is the critical rehabilitation and health assessment of the state bridge infrastructure. Odisha currently features a network of more than 1500 bridges. Under the new directive, a detailed, scientific health check-up of these structures will be conducted systematically. This specialized structural monitoring program aims to assess load capacities, identify structural vulnerabilities, and execute timely retrofitting or repairs, minimizing safety risks and extending the lifespan of vital crossings.
In tandem with bridge safety, the state is rolling out an extensive blueprint for road construction, expansion, and preservation. The overall long-term vision aims to develop 70,000 kilometers of roads to superior technical standards. Out of this expansive network, in the Works Department domain 15,000 kilometers of high-traffic corridors to be upgraded into world-class thoroughfares. To realize this, the state recently approved major high-capacity urban and semi-urban projects, including the multi-lane Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan road corridor in Bhubaneswar, designed as a six-lane carriageway equipped with dedicated two-lane service roads on both sides to handle heavy modern transit demands.
The execution strategy is decentralized, requiring Superintending Engineers across the state to formulate division-wise programs aligned directly with the central action plan. Former senior administrators, including a former Chief Secretary, have lauded this scientific approach, noting that it brings strategic development to Major District Roads, Other District Roads, and State Highways. The Works Department is deploying integrated project tracking utilities and modern asset management applications to monitor physical progress, streamline budgeting, and eliminate traditional bottlenecks in land acquisition and utility shifting.
To maximize structural longevity and safety, the updated State Road Policy incorporates innovative features such as dedicated utility corridors to prevent recurrent road cutting for cable and pipe installation, alongside technology to integrate recycled waste materials into modern asphalt designs. These additions are paired with an emphasis on rigorous seasonal inspections, ensuring that pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon maintenance cycles keep the expanded network resilient against heavy climatic shifts.