New Coastal Highway from Rameshwar to Paradeep Approved
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the construction of a new coastal highway in Odisha. This ambitious project, spanning two packages and covering a total length of 160.18 kilometers, comes with an estimated investment of Rs. 8300.79 crore and aims to enhance connectivity between Rameshwar and Paradeep.
Designed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), the new highway will traverse through the districts of Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur. The highway will serve as a vital alternative to the existing NH-16, which is part of the Golden Quadrilateral and already accommodates significant traffic flow through major cities like Khordha, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack. The current road conditions along the Puri–Satapada and Puri–Konark segments are subpar, with poor geometry and substantial ribbon development, leading to challenges in long-distance vehicular movement.
Project Details and Scope
The upcoming coastal project will be designed as a four-lane highway from Rameshwar to Konark (Package 1) and a two-lane road with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradeep (Package 2). The roads are set to facilitate a design speed of 100 km/hour, significantly improving travel efficiency in the regions of Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur. This initiative not only aims to enhance regional mobility but also fosters socio-economic growth.
Benefits of the New Highway
In alignment with the PM GatiShakti principles, the project will establish connections to nine economic nodes and five logistic nodes, which is anticipated to positively influence the country’s Logistic Performance Index (LPI). Once operational, the new highway is expected to reduce travel times between Rameshwar and Paradeep by approximately two and a half hours, ensuring safe and speedy transportation for both passengers and freight.
Moreover, the project promises to lower fuel consumption, decrease carbon emissions, and reduce vehicle operating costs, marking a significant step towards more sustainable transportation.
Projected Outcomes
The construction of the new highway is anticipated to generate substantial employment opportunities, with an estimated 53.61 lakh direct man-days and 67.01 lakh indirect man-days. Additionally, the reported annual average daily traffic (AADT) for the financial year 2027-28 is expected to be 10,437 Passenger Car Units (PCU) for Package 1 and 7,249 PCU for Package 2, validating the high demand for this essential infrastructure.
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