Bhubaneswar: The Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor is poised to deliver immense benefits to Odisha, arguably positioning the state for significant gains due to the highway’s route and its alignment with key development goals.
The expressway covers the longest distance within Odisha. Reports indicate that approximately 240 km of the 465 km corridor passes through the state, compared to 124 km in Chhattisgarh and 100 km in Andhra Pradesh.
The corridor runs through the mineral-rich landscapes of Odisha. This direct, high-speed connection will be crucial for facilitating the efficient transport of raw materials (like bauxite, iron ore, etc.) from the mining and industrial hubs of Odisha to the Visakhapatnam Port.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is nearing completion of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor, a major infrastructure project set to drastically reshape logistics and economic activity across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
Built at a cost of ₹16,482 crore and expected to be completed by December 2026, the new 6-lane Greenfield Corridor will cut the travel distance from 597 km on the existing NH-26 to just 465 km, saving 132 km and nearly seven hours of travel time.
This project is a key component of the PM Gati Shakti vision, promising to reduce the current 12-hour journey to a mere five hours. This significant time and distance saving is expected to generate major fuel savings and substantially reduce transportation costs for both public and freight operators.
The corridor is anticipated to provide a powerful push for trade and logistics efficiency. Industries in Chhattisgarh and Odisha will gain direct, faster access to the Visakhapatnam Port and the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway. This improved connectivity to ports and industrial hubs will enable quicker exports and smoother supply chains. The project is also poised to stimulate broader economic growth through job creation, real estate development, and the promotion of tourism. The corridor is designed for speeds of 100 km/hr, ensuring greater predictability and reliability for operators.
The transformation is already being felt by local residents. Vishal, a lorry owner, noted that the corridor will allow transporters to complete the journey in a single day, drastically reducing costs through lower diesel consumption and less wear and tear on trucks. Farmers along the route are also experiencing a clear shift in their economic outlook. Land prices have reportedly surged from around ₹15 lakh per acre to nearly ₹1.5 crore since the greenfield highway project began.
Local residents in Vizianagaram, though initially hesitant about giving up land, now express hope, noting the significant increase in land value and the promise of new opportunities. Farmers like Srinivasulu confirmed receiving fair compensation, with the value of their remaining land significantly appreciating.
Beyond economic benefits, the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Corridor will significantly improve mobility for remote and tribal districts. Regions such as Dhamtari, Keshkal, Kanker (Chhattisgarh), Borigumma, Nabarangpur, Koraput (Odisha), and Ramabhadrapuram, Araku (Andhra Pradesh) will be brought closer to major markets and essential services, helping to integrate them more effectively into the mainstream economy. The new access-controlled, 6-lane highway will also ease congestion on the old 2-lane NH-26, enhancing travel comfort and road safety.
The 465-kilometre-long corridor, built through 15 planned packages, is slated to be open to the public in the fiscal year 2026–27, reflecting the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways’ commitment to developing infrastructure that not only connects places but also connects possibilities for millions.