BHUBANESWAR: Draft alignment of the ambitious coastal highway project from Gopalpur in Odisha to Digha in West Bengal was discussed at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi here on Saturday. “Preliminary survey of the 451-km coastal highway project has been completed and on the basis of the survey, a feasibility report has been prepared. The project will be given a final shape after finalisation of the alignment,” Padhi told reporters after the meeting. “We discussed alignment of roads on Puri- Konark marine drive, near the proposed port at Astaranga, Jambu forest area, Bhitarkanika reserve forest, Satapada and bridge over Chilika lake.
Suggestions were given to National Highway Authority (NHAI) for consideration,” Padhi said. Responding to another query, Member, NHAI Anand Kumar Singh said coastal highway is an ambitious programme of the Centre and will be developed as an economic and tourism corridor. The project will be completed within two and a half years. “NHAI has prepared a draft project report. Since Odisha Government is a major stakeholder in the project, issues regarding road alignment was discussed at the meeting. Many valuable suggestions and inputs were given by the State. NHAI will make all efforts to finalise the alignment of the project as per suggestions of the State,” Singh said.
The Chief Secretary advised NHAI to preserve the coastal character of the proposed coastal highway which will provide a boost to tourism and industrial activities in the region. The proposed road will connect places like Ratanpur, Satapada, Konark, Astranga, Chilika, Satabhaya, Dhamara, Basudevpur, Talapada, Chandipur, Chandaneswar and Digha. Out of the total coast length of 451 km, around 29 km come under Ganjam district, 153 km under Puri district, 54 km under Jagatsinghpur, 49 km under Kendrapara, 61 km under Bhadrak, 99 km under Balasore and 6 km connect east Medinipur in West Bengal.
More than 178 villages in all these districts will be connected by the road. As per the draft project report, bridges will be constructed over river Rushikulya, Palur Sahib canal, Chilika lake, rivers Dhanikhiya, Nua, Khushabhadra, Kadua, Devi, Hansua, Mahanadi, Gobari, Patashala, Brahmani, Baitarani, Mantei, Panchapara, D u b d u b i a n d Subarnarekha. Besides, bypass roads will be constructed near Bajrakote, Maludkhas, Brahmagiri, Rebana Nuagoan, Konark, Gagua, Jarimul, Gula, Basudevpur, Anantapur, Gopalpur, Rasalpur and Panchupali. Padhi further directed NHAI to keep road safety aspects in mind while preparing the road designs. The safety requirements as suggested by district authorities should be taken into consideration. Singh assured that suggestions given by district Collectors will be complied with.