Amit Shah, Naveen inaugurate two mega NH projects in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah dedicated a mega NH project connecting Kamakhyanagar to Duburi during a programme here today.

The four-laning of the Kamakhyanagar-Duburi Section of NH-53 was inaugurated by Amit Shah and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Convention Centre of Lok Seva Bhavan.

This 51 KM stretch has been constructed at a cost of Rs 761 Crore which will connect the coal belt of Talcher to the steel hub in Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district. The stretch consists of two major bridges, 10 minor bridges, seven vehicle underpasses, two animal underpasses and a 1.73 km-long bypass.

The two leaders also laid the foundation stone for widening and strengthening of Moter to Banner via Ladugaon Road of Kalahandi district.

“This project will connect mineral-rich Angul and Dhenkanal districts with other parts of Odisha and the country,” said Shah.

“Many development projects are underway in Odisha for which Centre has sanctioned giving immense priority to the country’s eastern region. With the completion of the two NH projects, the people of Odisha will be benefited,” said Amit Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha since yesterday evening.

Speaking at the event, he said, “Country’s development and economic development is directly connected with the national highways and the Modi government has taken a lot of steps for development of NHs during the last nine years.”

He said that the 15 km project from Moter to Banner in Kalahandi district will be constructed with a cost of Rs 34 crore.

The Union Home Minister went on to say that in 2014-15, only 12 km of national highway were constructed each day in India, which was increased to 29 km per day in the year 2020-22, he pointed out.

“During UPA government time, he said, Odisha had got Rs 1.14 lakh crore from the devolution fund and grant-in-aid. However, the amount has not been enhanced to Rs 4.57 lakh crore. In total funding to Odisha, the amount has been enhanced from Rs 3 lakh crore to Rs 18 lakh crore. The Modi government will leave no stone untouched for the development of Odisha,” he assured.

During nine years, the left wing extremism (LWE) activities have dramatically come down in the country including Odisha.

“The number of LWE incidents have decreased by 30 per cent in between 2015 to 2019, while the causality in Naxal attacks went down by 32 per cent and there was a 56 per cent decrease in causality of security personnel in LWE menaces, the Home Minister said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the connectivity is key to progress and empowerment of the people and pointed out the annual budget of the Works department has seen a quantum jump from Rs 280 crore in 2000 to more than Rs 15,000 crore now.

“Odisha always believes in cooperative federalism and I thank the Government of India for its support to the state in its development agenda. I once again warmly welcome Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Odisha,” he said in his address.

Meanwhile, Dharmendra Pradhan said the Modi government has provided Rs 18.83 lakh crore to Odisha while the previous government had provided Rs 2.93 lakh crore to the state during 2004 to 2014.

Shah, who arrived here last night, will hold crucial meetings with state BJP party leaders this afternoon.

He is also likely to make strategy for the 2024 general and Assembly elections and will return to Delhi in the evening.