Odisha asks Centre to develop more roads through NHAI

Setting a target to complete 489 km of National Highway during 2016-17 fiscal, Odisha government today urged the Centre to develop more roads in western and southern parts of the state through NHAI.
The state govenrment made the suggestions at a high-level meeting, chaired by chief secretary A P Padhi, with senior officers from Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H).
Padhi asked the NHAI to fix a monthly target for completion and accomplish that "without fail".
NHAI has completed development of 610 km of road and work for another 529 km is under progress. The bidding process for around 243 km is completed and projects for development of 596 km are in the pipeline, official sources said.

During the meeting, Padhi emphasised on the development of NH from Vizag to Jagdalpur which connects Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
He also emphasised on expediting work on the Vijayawada-Ranchi Corridor connecting Andhra Pradesh, Odisha & Jharkhand.

The state government also wanted early completion of the development of road from Berhampur to Rayagada.
Review shows that presently a total number of 22 NHs pass through Odisha after renaming of roads.
The total length of these roads running through the state is around 4849.42 km of which total 3387 km of roads have been assigned to state PWD dept and 1462.42 km under NHAI for development.

During 2014-15 and 2015-16 867.39 km have been developed in the state.
Odisha's Works secretary N K Pradhan requested the central team to provide sanction for road projects submitted by state government.