Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to overhaul the infrastructure landscape of Odisha, Principal Secretary Works, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh has initiated a high-level review of several multi-crore road projects.
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister Shri Prithviraj Harichandan, the Department of Works is prioritizing a robust transport network designed to link major economic zones and reduce urban congestion.
Principal Secretary, Works, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, chaired a crucial meeting today at the Works Department Conference Hall to streamline the execution of several flagship initiatives and directed officials to adhere to time bound implementation of Road Sector Infra.
A primary focus of the deliberations was the 111-kilometer-long Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR) around Bhubaneswar. This six-lane access-controlled greenfield highway, recently sanctioned with a capital cost of approximately 8,307 crore, is expected to divert heavy commercial traffic away from the urban centers of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Khordha.
To further ease the traffic burden on Cuttack city, the department is fast-tracking a new greenfield road connecting Bhubaneswar directly to Jagatsinghpur and Paradip. This route will run from Dhakulei Peetha to Kandarpur, effectively allowing commuters and freight to bypass Cuttack altogether. Shri Singh instructed officials to finalize the alignment plan and Detailed Project Report (DPR) immediately to minimize travel distance and time to the strategic Paradip port.
The state is also pushing forward with the widening of the 206-kilometer Koraput–Mohana road, a vital stretch of NH-326. This project, which recently received a 1,526 crore boost for its 243-kilometer total section, will upgrade the existing highway into a two-lane configuration with paved shoulders. This development is slated to improve safety and logistics efficiency for the tribal-dominated regions of Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput.
Additionally, the meeting reviewed the status of the Khordha–Nayagarh road upgradation. Engineers were directed to adhere strictly to the approved DPR and expedite the land acquisition process to ensure timely completion.
Shri Singh issued stern directives to departmental officers to accelerate the procurement of forest and environment clearances, which often serve as bottlenecks for large-scale infrastructure. The meeting saw participation from high-ranking officials including Special Secretary Lakshmi Kanta Padhi and representatives from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
These projects are part of a broader vision to integrate the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip (BCPPER) economic region, facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers while supporting the state’s ambitious growth targets