BHUBANESWAR: In a major move for transforming the state’s road infrastructure in tune with the projected traffic growth and economic development priorities, the BJP government has decided to develop at least 35 strategic corridors across Odisha, stretching over 6,100 km, by 2036.
Under the ambitious target to achieve Viksit Odisha by 2036, connectivity assumes top priority and the government has charted a master plan to comprehensively expand and upgrade the road network in the next decade. This network includes 2,700 km non-national highway (NH), 2,800 km NH arterial roads and 600 km inter-corridor links, besides additional 1,500 km of last-mile and first-mile feeder roads.
This massive infrastructure initiative aligns with Union Road Transport minister Nitin Gadkari’s announcement to bring Odisha’s highways on par with American standards. He had recently informed that highways worth over Rs 2 lakh crore are under various stages of implementation in the state.
The master plan would, however, prioritise access-controlled highways and improve connectivity to centres with economic activities, production hubs and socially important regions. It will also help decongest urban areas through ring roads and bypasses in all towns with populations over one lakh.
The state cabinet has already approved the proposal to constitute Odisha State Highway Authority (OSHA) which will be entrusted with the development and execution of the master plan. The government will delegate adequate power to OSHA for expediting the works.
“Powers for project-level approvals, cost sanctions and time extensions will be delegated to OSHA. Dedicated project implementation unit (PIU) and Centre of Excellence (CoE) for design, land acquisition, tolling, and quality control will also be established under OSHA,” sources said.
Although the fund estimate for the identified corridors is yet to be made, it is likely to come under the provision of Rs 75,000 crore under the road infrastructure head for next five years.
“Apart from the expected investment by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and its implementing agency NHAI for the development of national highway corridors, we are also exploring private investment and other potential funding models for proper implementation of the master plan,” said an official of the Works department.
The government has also decided to revamp the directorate of designs by creating a dedicated engineering cadre separate from the Odisha Engineering Service (OES) for streamlining operations and design efficiency. The new cadre will include one director, eight additional directors, 30 joint directors, and 30 deputy directors, all with specialised qualifications in structural, transportation, or geotechnical engineering.
Plans are afoot to create unified laboratory facilities by integrating existing labs of both Works and Rural Development departments. A state-of-the-art referral laboratory will also be set up in collaboration with premier institutions like IMMT, IIT-Bhubaneswar, NIT-Rourkela, VSSUT-Burla, and OUTR-Bhubaneswar.