NEW DELHI: Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated many National Highway projects in Odisha on February 6. Gadhkari laid the foundation stone for several projects including the four lane national highway Talcher-Kamakhyanagar stretch of 41.726 km which costs around Rs 795.18 crore, 51.1 km Kamakhyanagar-Duburi stretch of NH 200 with an estimated cost of Rs 761.11 crore and 39.4 km Duburi-Chandikhole stretch of NH 200 with an estimated cost of Rs 789.23 crore. These highway projects will include 45 km of service roads, 9 major bridges and 39 minor bridges, 19 vehicular underpasses, 3 bypasses and 1 flyover.
The National Highway projects will provide better connectivity for the districts – Angul and Dhenkanal, which are rich in minerals, with the rest of the state, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. These projects will reduce the traffic congestion and the travel time between places which will also help to reduce fuel consumption and pollution levels. The press release states that the projects will help in generating more employment opportunities in the region.
The minister also launched a multipurpose clean cargo berth of capacity 50 lakh tons per year at Paradip port, which has been developed at a cost of Rs 431 crore. Additionally, the minister also laid the foundation stone for LPG Terminal at South Oil Jetty, mechanization of 3 coal handling berth, development of New Coal Import Berth, development of a Multi-Modal Logistic Park, construction of second exit road including flyover from the port.