Aska, a major town in Ganjam district, is set to receive a significant infrastructure upgrade after the central government sanctioned three major road and bridge projects worth Rs 2,900 mn. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways approved a bypass connecting National Highways NH-157 and NH-59 at an estimated cost of Rs 1,595 mn and authorised bridge works over the Rushikulya and Badanadi rivers and the Tipisara nullah at Rs 1,265 mn. The Works Department of the state government granted administrative approval for the bridge projects on Wednesday. The bridge works will be executed under the Setu Bandhan scheme as part of the Central Road Infrastructure Fund for 2025–26.

The bypass will span six point seven two km and will be developed as a two-lane corridor featuring two flyovers and one underpass to divert traffic away from Aska town. Of the total project cost, Rs 374.3 mn has been earmarked for land acquisition. The planned road and bridge interventions are intended to relieve congestion within the town and to reduce flood-related disruption by raising river crossings.

In addition, the centre has sanctioned Rs 6.635 mn for preparing a feasibility study and a detailed project report for a proposed four-lane greenfield road between Berhampur and Aska, and the final cost for the 33 km stretch will be determined after completion of the DPR. Local representatives welcomed the approvals and said the schemes are expected to improve connectivity and shorten travel distance between the two towns. Officials indicated the projects are also likely to support economic activity in the region by easing movement of goods and people.

Implementation timelines and contractors have not yet been finalised and further technical and environmental clearances will follow the DPR process. Funding will be drawn from central allocations under the specified scheme and monitored by the relevant ministries and state departments. Authorities signalled that completion of the works would be prioritised to address persistent traffic and flood challenges in Aska.