Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi, Apr 13: '

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today proposed a coastal highway to connect Gopalpur in Ganjam district with Digha in West Bengal to ensure efficient rescue and relief operation during cyclones.

naveen gadkari

Patnaik made the proposal during his discussions with Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari here today.

Briefing reporters after his meeting with the Gadkari, Chief Minister Patnaik said:"We discussed construction of a coastal highway from Gopalpur to Digha in West Bengal for ensuring efficient rescue and relief operations during cyclones and to provide alternative economic opportunities to the population in those areas." "The Union Minister would help in every way he can," he added.

Patnaik also demanded declaration of the highways connecting Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur as national highways and upgradation of road network in tribal dominated districts and declaring them as NHs too.

The Chief Minister’s demands included improving the six existing NHs in the state under the engineering procurement and construction mode and augmenting allocation under 'ordinary repair' fund to Rs 25 crore for the current year to keep NHs in traffic-worthy conditions.

Patnaik sought sanction of three new bypasses near Bhawanipatna, Kotpad and Manamunda for easing traffic congestion.

The Chief Minister asked for an allocation of Rs 142.25 crore for early completion of the 900-metre Gurupriya bridge near Balimela reservoir during his discussions with the Union Minister.