Odisha to have 900 km of new NH network by 2017-18.

Odisha aims to have 900 km of new National Highways (NH) network by 2017-18. The building of this NH network is estimated to cost Rs. 3555 crore. Out of the total length of 900 km, construction of 423.90 km would be made under NH Plan, 136.28 km under National Highway Development Project (NHDP), 184 km under National Highways Interconnectivity Improvement Project (NHIIP) and 157 km under Left Wing Extremism (LWE) project. While Nabarangpur-Kokasara (55 km), Nuapada-Bangomunda (68 km) and Bhojapura-Chhatabara (61 km) roads would be built under the flagship programme of the NH, to be aided by the World Bank, work on Kanakatora-Jharsuguda (68 km) and Pallhada-Pitri Junction (68 km) NH would be taken up under NHDP. Besides, construction of Jeypore-Kota-Malkangiri (86 km) and Koraput-Laxmipur-Rayagada (71 km) NH will be made under LWE project. The state government would shortly submit a proposal to the Centre for conversion of Chhatrapur-Satapada (70 km) and Konark-Astaranga-Nuagaon-Paradip-Basudevpur-Chandipur-Chandaneswar-Digha (430 km) State Highways to NH under Bharatmala Yojana. Plans have been readied for construction of 258 km of NH having 10-metre width at a cost of Rs 653 crore in 2015-16. Besides, double laning of 358-km of NH and building of 38 bridges are underway.