The Odisha works department on Monday announced a significant infrastructure project to widen the approximately 70-kilometer stretch from Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district to Khariar in Nuapada from the existing two lanes to four lanes. This expansion aims to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the region.
Project Details and Investment
The project, with a total allocation of around Rs 640 crore for road construction, also includes the building of five major and 15 minor bridges along the route. An additional Rs 91 crore has been earmarked for bridge construction, bringing the total investment to approximately Rs 731 crore. The old bridge over the Tel river will also undergo repair and renovation as part of the initiative.
Benefits for Local Communities
Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that the project was conceived keeping in mind the needs of the people. He emphasized that the road expansion will facilitate easier travel between the two districts, allowing residents from villages along the route to access towns and markets more conveniently. Small farmers and traders are expected to be among the primary beneficiaries.
Harichandan highlighted that the improved road will enable passenger buses, ambulances, and private vehicles to reach their destinations faster, reducing both travel time and fuel consumption. This efficiency is anticipated to bolster the regional economy. Farmers and traders will be able to transport paddy, vegetables, forest produce, and other goods to markets with greater ease.
Economic and Employment Opportunities
The minister noted that better connectivity is likely to attract commercial activity along the corridor. New shops, petrol pumps, hotels, warehouses, and small industries may emerge, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for local residents. This development is expected to have a multiplier effect on the local economy.
Improved Access to Essential Services
Once the road is widened, access to schools, colleges, hospitals, and government offices will become more convenient. The wider road will also help reduce accidents, improve tourism potential, and strengthen connectivity to interior areas during emergencies such as floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters.
