Bhubaneswar: The long-awaited Coastal Highway Project in Odisha has been plunged into uncertainty after the Union Government abruptly cancelled its tender, drawing sharp criticism from the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The BJD has accused the Centre of undermining development in the state and termed the “double engine” government’s promises a “double fraud.”
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar today, senior BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma expressed strong disapproval over the decision, highlighting the project’s critical importance for Odisha. “The Coastal Highway, initially envisioned to be approximately 413 km long, was a key component of the Union Government’s ambitious Bharatmala project,” Shri Das Burma stated.
According to the route finalized by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a segment from Ratanpur to Chandanpur was slated for declaration as a National Highway, linking it to the proposed Coastal Highway. Once completed, the BJD leader emphasized, the project was poised to significantly boost Odisha’s infrastructure, transportation network, and tourism sector, creating numerous new opportunities for the state.
Shri Das Burma detailed the project’s troubled timeline, noting that its length was initially reduced from 413 km to 346 km. Subsequently, tenders were invited for the construction of a 176 km four-lane road spanning from Rameshwar to Ratanpur. However, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the remaining 170 km stretch from Ratanpur has remained in the preparatory stage, causing undue delays.
The BJD leader voiced grave concern over the sudden tender cancellation, which he said has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the project’s future. He directly criticized the BJP’s “double engine” government – a reference to the same party ruling both the state and the Centre – alleging that its development slogan had devolved into a “double fraud.”
While official reasons cited administrative grounds for the cancellation, reports suggest that the project’s structure is undergoing a re-evaluation, leading to a potential alteration in its scope. “Initially, the highway was planned as a four-lane road, and tenders were issued accordingly. However, after the re-evaluation, it is now being proposed as a two-lane highway, which is completely unacceptable,” Shri Das Burma asserted.
Underscoring Odisha’s inherent vulnerability to cyclones, Shri Das Burma stressed that the proposed Coastal Highway was not merely an infrastructure development but also a crucial lifeline for facilitating relief efforts in cyclone-affected areas.
The former Minister urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to immediately engage in discussions with the Central Government. He called for assurances that the project would be executed as originally planned—with four lanes—and without any further delay, emphasizing its vital role in Odisha’s progress and disaster preparedness.