BHUBANESWAR: Field officials have been asked to expedite implementation of National Highway (NH) projects by resolving issues relating to environment and land acquisition.
The direction was given by Vijay Chhiber, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and Gokul Chandra Pati, Chief Secretary, Odisha Government, while reviewing the NH projects in Odisha at a high-level meeting in the Secretariat here on Friday.
They said quick decision should be taken while dealing with issues including forest diversion, shifting of utilities, disbursement of compensation award and land acquisition for implementation of the projects. The Chief Secretary has asked the Chief Engineer, NH to submit weekly report on the progress of the projects.
Out of 22 NHs of 4,644 kms length in the State, 1912 kms is being developed by National Highways Authorities of India (NHAI). Till now 521 kms has already been developed under first phase of National Highway Development Project (NHDP). Development of another 617 kms has been taken up under second and third phases of NHDP. The balance 1233 kms has been included in fourth and fifth phases of the project.
The projects under implementation include six laning of Bhubaneswar-Chandikhole NH-5 (67 kms), four-laning of Bhubaneswar-Puri NH-203 (67 kms), four-laning of Sambalpur-Bargarh NH-6 (88 Kms), four-laning of Panikoili-Rimuli NH-215(163 kms), four- laning of Rimuli-Roxy-Rajamunda NH-215 (96 kms), four-laning of Chandikhole-Duburi-Talcher NH-200/23 (133 kms).
Besides, around 3055 kms of NH roads are being developed through State PWD under the project NH (Odisha) in which 35 projects are under implementation.
Under the Central Road Fund (CRF) project, 183 projects including road projects and 21 bridges have been sanctioned at an estimated cost of `923.9 crore. Out of this, 168 projects have been completed and work of 12 are in progress. Apart from this, 16 roads of inter-State connectivity were also reviewed.