Center sanctions funds for NH, railway projects in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi, Aug 24: 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved development and construction of several highway and railway projects in Odisha.

According to a press notification issued by Union Petroleum and Natural gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, upgradation of 68 kilometre stretch of NH-217 between Nuapada- Bangamunda, 61 kilometre stretch of NH-200 between Bhojpur- Chhatabara and 55 kilometre stretch of NH-201 between Nabarangpur and Kokasara have been approved.

The CCEA has sanctioned Rs 742 crore for these highway projects.

Besides, Rs 2268 crore have been approved for the fourth railway line connecting Jharsuguda, Raigarh, Champa and Bilaspur.  This project will benefit Nuapada, Bolangir, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi districts of Odisha along with neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

The 206 km long railway line, which is expected to be completed in five years will aid the industries, mines and bolster transport capacity in the region.

Apart from projects in Odisha, The CCEA also approved development of National Highways totalling 1,120 km in length in Karnataka, Odisha, Bihar, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

“The work for the development of two-lane standards falls under Phase-I of the National Highways Inter-connectivity Improvement Project (NHIIP) with World Bank assistance. The revised estimated cost is Rs 6,461 crore, including the cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities,” said an official statement.

“The projects have already been taken up for implementation and 429-km roads completed. The civil works are expected to be completed by July 2019 and maintenance works by July 2024. The project will ensure safe, fast and all-weather movement of traffic on the proposed National Highways, mostly located in backward regions, thereby boosting socio-economic development, “the statement added.