The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the construction of a new coastal highway in Odisha. This highway, stretching from Rameshwar to Paradeep, will be built on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) in two segments covering a total distance of 160.18 km at a cost of Rs 8,300.79 crore.
The new highway is expected to significantly cut travel time by approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes between Rameshwar and Paradeep. It aims to offer a safe, fast, and uninterrupted transportation route for both passengers and freight, leading to improved connectivity.
Furthermore, the project is anticipated to bring about notable reductions in fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and vehicle operating costs, as per an official statement. The highway forms a part of the Golden Quadrilateral and already serves as a 6-lane road passing through key towns like Khordha, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.
The proposed project includes a 4-lane configuration from Rameshwar to Konark (Package-1) and a 2-lane setup with paved shoulder from Konark to Paradeep (Package-2). This design will ensure a speed limit of 100 km/hour, enhancing travel efficiency across Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur districts in Odisha.
The initiative is aligned with the PM GatiShakti principles and is set to connect nine Economic Nodes and five Logistic Nodes, positively impacting the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) of the country. It is expected that the project will not only boost regional mobility but also foster socio-economic development in the region.
