Odisha Extends Rural Bridge Scheme, Renames Biju Setu Yojana

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to carry forward its rural bridge-building programme for another five years, signalling a continued focus on improving road connectivity to villages separated by rivers, streams and other natural barriers.

The programme, launched as Biju Setu Yojana in 2011-12, will now be implemented as Setu Bandhan Yojana from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The Rural Development Department has issued a notification formalising the change.

The scheme was introduced to improve connectivity in rural areas where the absence of bridges has remained a major obstacle to the movement of people and vehicles. Construction of bridges at critical locations has been a key component of the programme.

The initiative is particularly aimed at providing all-weather connectivity to rural communities, enabling people to travel more easily to markets, healthcare centres, educational institutions and other essential services.

With the extension, bridge construction and other works related to rural connectivity will continue under the new scheme during the five-year period. The government has retained the core objectives of the earlier programme despite the change in nomenclature.

The move is expected to support efforts to improve last-mile connectivity and strengthen road links to villages where geographical barriers continue to disrupt transportation and access to essential services.