Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, will inaugurate and lay the foundation for highway projects worth Rs 4,000 crore in Odisha on Thursday, according to an official statement. These projects will significantly improve road infrastructure in the state.
Upon his arrival at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Gadkari was welcomed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and State BJP President Manmohan Samal. He started his day with a visit to Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, where he attended the Dr Harekrushna Mahatab Memorial Lecture. The lecture commemorates the birth anniversary of the former Odisha Chief Minister. Gadkari will speak on ‘Infrastructure Development and Odisha’ and attend a national conference celebrating Mahatab’s 125th birth anniversary.
Minister’s Visit to the World Skill Centre
In the afternoon, Gadkari will visit the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar to review skills development initiatives.
Highway Projects to Improve Connectivity
Later, Gadkari will inaugurate and lay the foundation for 19 national highway projects at Baramunda Maidan around 4:30 pm. These projects will cover 105 km across Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh districts. The total investment for these projects is Rs 4,000 crore.
Some major projects include:
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The four-laning of the Banarpal-Godibandha stretch.
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Widening of the Daringbadi Ghat section on NH-59.
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Widening of NH-10 from Mangalpur to Kayangola.
New Initiatives and Announcements
Gadkari is expected to announce new infrastructure plans to accelerate national highway expansion in the state. Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan also confirmed these plans.