The Network Planning Group (NPG), under the PM GatiShakti initiative, approved two major highway projects in Odisha during its meeting in New Delhi. The Sambalpur Ring Road and the Cuttack-Paradip corridor were among the 18 projects that were reviewed. This takes the total number of highway projects approved in Odisha in the past month to six.

The Sambalpur Ring Road project, a 35.38 km four-lane road, is aimed at easing congestion and promoting industrial growth in the region. The greenfield project will be developed at a cost of Rs 13.33 billion, and construction is expected to begin soon.

The Cuttack-Paradip corridor, another four-lane project of 86.79 km, will provide crucial connectivity to economic hubs and Paradip Port. It will also connect to other major highways and play a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the region.

Last month, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways approved four other highway projects in Odisha worth Rs 150 billion, including the six-lane Bhubaneswar-Puri expressway and the Chandikhole-Barbil corridor.

Odisha has submitted additional proposals for four more national highway projects, including the Jharsuguda-Balasore and Nuapada-Astaranga highways, which are still awaiting central approval.

An NHAI official noted that the two recently approved projects will soon enter the tendering phase after receiving regulatory approvals. This is in line with the objectives of Prime Minister GatiShakti's initiative to improve multi-modal infrastructure and last-mile connectivity.