By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the construction of the first phase of the greenfield ‘Coastal Highway’ from Rameshwar to Konark via Paradip in Odisha under NH-90. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for the central government’s allocation of over Rs 8,300 crore for this 160.18 km long project.
The Union Minister said that the Modi government is always committed to the development of Odisha’s infrastructure and economy. Strengthening the communication infrastructure in the coastal areas of Odisha will give a new impetus to the state’s blue economy and industrialization. This project will be built in hybrid annuity mode. This mega project has been divided into two packages. Under the first phase, Package-1, about 79 km of the road from Rameshwar to Kakatpur will be made into a 4-lane highway and under Package-2, about 80 km of the road from Kakatpur to Paradip will be built as a 2-lane road with solid pavement.
Union Minister Shri Pradhan said that this project will prove to be a game-changer in the economic progress, tourism and trade sectors of Odisha under the ‘Purrooday Mission’ of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This well-thought-out step of the Modi government for the development of eastern India and the prosperity of the coastal region of Odisha is commendable. This recommended project will strengthen the communication infrastructure in the coastal region of Odisha and give a new impetus to the economy. Shri Pradhan opined that it will also create massive employment opportunities in the local area. He once again expressed his gratitude to the Modi government on behalf of the entire people of Odisha for this special approach of the Central Government towards Odisha.
