Groundbreaking ceremony held for three NH projects in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today conducted the groundbreaking ceremony (Bhoomi Pujan) for three National Highways (NH) projects in Odisha having a total length of 119.5 km costing Rs 2067.5 crore.

The projects are six laning of Bhadrak-Balasore section of NH-5 (new NH-16), six laning of Tangi-Bhubaneswar section of NH-5 (new NH-16) and three vehicular underpasses at Balikuda, Sikhapur and Badachana of Bhubaneswar-Chandikhole section of NH-5 (new NH-16).

These include four flyovers, 19 vehicular underpasses, five major bridges, 11 minor bridges and 83 km service road. It will result in generation of better employment opportunities, substantial gain in terms of reduced Vehicle Operating Cost (VOC), reduction in travel time in the routes and reduction in traffic congestion, official sources said.

“With the Golden Quadrilateral project, former PM Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji gave four lane roads and now PM Narendra Modi is developing them into six lane,” Pradhan said.

“There was a demand for an underpass at Balikuda, Sikharpur and Badachana of Bhubaneswar-Chandikhole Section of NH to reduce traffic congestion and ensure safety of commuters. I thank Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and National Highways Authority of India for taking steps in this regards,” he said.

“The Narendra Modi-led Central Government has been taking steps for growth and progress of Odisha including the development of NHs and Coastal Highway for better connectivity,” he added.

Alleging that the Odisha Government has been creating hurdles in the implementation of several developmental and welfare schemes in the state, Pradhan urged the governemnt to cooperate in the completion of the projects for the larger interests of the people.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Khandagiri Chhak here.