Odisha Govt to Introduce Special Policy for Road Infrastructure Development

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is gearing up to implement a dedicated policy aimed at streamlining road construction, repair, and maintenance across the state. In a recent high-level meeting chaired by Law, Works, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, officials discussed key challenges in infrastructure development and outlined strategies for better coordination between departments.

The review meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhawan, was attended by Housing & Urban Development and Public Enterprises Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, and other senior officials. A major point of discussion was the frequent damage caused to roads due to utility installations such as water pipelines, electricity lines, and telecommunication cables. To address this, the government is considering the creation of dedicated utility corridors along major roads to prevent repeated excavations.

As part of the policy, Odisha aims to construct 75,000 kilometers of roads over the next five years, targeting 15,000 kilometers annually. This initiative will encompass various departments, including National Highways, Works, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Urban Development. Special attention will be given to improving connectivity in remote areas while ensuring that new roads meet high construction standards.

To enhance environmental sustainability, the policy will promote tree plantation along roadsides and introduce modern machinery to relocate large trees instead of cutting them down. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on regular inspections and maintenance, especially before and after the monsoon season, to extend road durability.

Recognizing the hurdles associated with land acquisition in rural areas, the government will introduce special financial provisions to accelerate project execution. The use of recycled and waste materials in road construction will also be explored as part of an eco-friendly approach.

The meeting also highlighted the need for modern technology to improve road safety, with discussions on innovative construction techniques that minimize environmental impact while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Key officials present at the meeting included Principal Secretary, Works Department, Vir Vikram Yadav; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Girish S.N.; Commissioner, State Transport Authority, Amitabh Thakur; EIC (Civil), Purnachandra Mohapatra; Director, Panchayati Raj, Maheshwar Swain; and Vice Chairman, Bhubaneswar Development Authority, N. Tirumala Naik.