Bhubaneswar, Jan. 12: Work on the expansion of four important national highways passing through the state will begin next month in Private Public Partnership (PPP) mode under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
“The four national highways include Bhubaneswar–Puri (60km), Bhubaneswar–Jagatpur–Chandikhol (62km), Sambalpur–Bargarh–Loharchati (88km) and Rimuli–Roxy–Rajamunda (106km). Work will start in February,” said chief secretary Bijay Patnaik following a high-level meet chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik today at the state secretariat.
While Bhubaneswar–Puri, Sambalpur–Lohrachati via Bargarh and Rimuli–Rajamunda highways would be turned into four-lane roads, the Bhubaneswar – Chandikhol highway will be six-laned. All these projects would be completed in the next three years.
“Work on Bhubaneswar– Puri section of NH-213 will be completed by 2015 since the nabakalebera (change of idols) of Lord Jaganannath will be celebrated that year with more than 50 lakh visitors expected to throng Puri on the occasion. After the chief minister requested the Union minister for road transport and highway, the NHAI has agreed to complete the project before the stipulated time. The NHAI has already awarded the contact for the work,” said works secretary Subhendu Ray.
Sources said 227.5 acres of private land are required for four-laning of Bhubaneswar –Puri highway. As the DFOs are not permitting the concessionaires to fell trees even in non-forest areas, unless the forest diversion proposal is approved, the work has been delayed.
For early commencement of the projects, the joint survey would be limited to the forest stretches only and no objection certificate from district collector would not be insisted upon.
Officials said that work on Bhadrak–Balasore, Sunakhela–Ganjam and Balugaon–Ganjam would be completed by the end of April this year. However, works on the Balugaon bypass would be completed in 2012.
Of the 3,600km of national highway crisscrossing through the state, 500km fall in the state’s golden triangle. These roads would be turned into six-lane roads in a phased manner.
The NHAI has approved Rs 364.10 crore to the state under the annual action plan for 2010-11. However, only Rs 11.84 crore have been received so far. “We will approach the Centre to release more money,” officials said.
The state has also expressed concern over the slow progress of work on Bhadrak–Balasore, Ganjam–Balugan and Sunakheal–Ganjam section of the highways.
Moreover, the state has approached the Centre to declare state highways from Berhampur–Koraput (313.6km), Madhapur to Kerda via Sarangada–Baliguda–Tumudibandha–Muniguda–Rayagada, Phulnakhara–Charrichahk–Gopa–Konarka and Kuakiha–Jajpur–Aradi–Bhadrak as national highways.
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 12: Work on the expansion of four important national highways passing through the state will begin next month in the Private –Public Partnership (PPP) mode under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
“The four national highways include Bhubaneswar –Puri (covering a distance of 60 km), Bhubaneswar- Jagatpur- Chandikhol ( 62 km), Sambalpur- Bargarh—Loharchati ( 88km) and Rimuli- Roxy- Rajamunda(106 km). Work on them will be taken up in February,” said chief secretary Bijay Patnaik following a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister, Naveen Patnaik today at the State secretariat.
While Bhubaneswar- Puri, Sambalpur- Lohrachati via Bargarh and Rimuli- Rajamunda highways would be turned into four-lane roads, the Bhubaneswar- Chandikhol highway will be six-laned. All these projects would be completed in the next three years.
“Work on Bhubaneswar-Puri section of NH-213 will be completed by 2015 since the Nabakalebera ( change of idols ) of lord Jaganannath will be celebrated that year with more than 50 lakh visitors expected to throng Puri on the occasion. Roads have to be widened for smooth movement of vehicles. After the chief minister requested the Union Minister for Road Transport and High-Way, the NHAI has agreed to complete the project before the stipulated time. The NHAI has already awarded the contact for the work,” said works secretary, Subhendu Ray.
Sources said 227.5 acres of private land is required for the four-laning of Bhubaneswar-Puri highway. As the DFOs ( Division Forest Officers) are not permitting the concessionaries to fell trees even in non-forest areas, unless the Forest diversion proposal is approved, the work has been delayed. For early commencement of the projects, the joint survey would be limited to the forest stretches only and no objection certificate from district collector would not be insisted upon.
Officials said that work on Bhadrak- Balasore, Sunakhela- Ganjam and Balugaon-Ganjam would be completed by the end of April this year. However, works on the Balugaon by-pass would be completed in 2012.
Of the 3600 kms of national high-way crisscrossing through the state 500 kms come fall in the state’s golden triangle. These roads would be turned into six-lane roads in a phased manner.
The NHAI has approved Rs 364.10 crore to the State under the annual action plan for 2010-11. However, only Rs 11.84 crore has been received so far. “ We will approach the Centre to release more money,” officials said.
The state has also expressed concern over the slow progress of work on Bhadrak- Balasore, Ganjam –Balugan and Sunakheal –Ganjam section of the highways.
Meanwhile, the State has approached the Centre to declare state highways from Berhampur- Koraput ( 313.6 km), Madhapur to Kerda via Sarangada- Baliguda – Tumudibandha- Muniguda- Rayagada, Phulnakhara- Charrichahk – Gopa –Konarka and Kuakiha –Jajpur- Aradi- Bhadrak as national highways.
