Odisha Cabinet Approves ₹426 Crore ‘CWA’ Scheme to Boost Rural Road Connectivity Across 142 Constituencies

Bhubaneswar: In a major push to strengthen rural infrastructure, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved the “Constituency Wise Allocation (CWA)” scheme—a ₹426 crore initiative focused on constructing and upgrading Rural Development (RD) roads across all 142 Assembly Constituencies in the state. The three-year scheme will be implemented from 2024-25 to 2026-27, with the goal of enhancing road connectivity and accelerating socio-economic growth in Odisha’s rural regions.

The scheme specifically targets incomplete and dilapidated road stretches, with the objective of ensuring smooth access to schools, health centres, gram panchayat offices, block headquarters, markets, and tourist sites. By bridging these critical connectivity gaps, the initiative is expected to significantly improve the quality of life and mobility for rural communities.

Despite the 2024-25 financial year having already lapsed, the government has devised a practical funding plan by allocating resources for two years’ worth of work in 2025-26, allowing for faster execution and timely progress on ground-level projects.

A senior official said, “The CWA scheme is a constituency-focused intervention that not only meets the immediate needs of rural populations but also lays the groundwork for long-term economic and social inclusion. Improved connectivity means better access to services, reduced travel time, and increased livelihood opportunities.”

The scheme is seen as a testament to the state government’s commitment to equitable development, ensuring that infrastructure benefits reach all constituencies, regardless of geography. It also complements ongoing state and central initiatives aimed at rural upliftment and last-mile connectivity.