The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved four national highway projects worth more than Rs 242 billion (bn) across Odisha, Telangana, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh to improve connectivity and ease congestion. The Information and Broadcasting Minister said the projects align with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and aim to boost economic activity and freight movement. A coastal highway between Rameshwar and Paradip in Odisha was approved at about Rs 83.01 bn for the 160.18 km corridor under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The route will include a four-lane stretch to Konark and a two-lane carriageway to Paradip and will connect nine economic nodes and five logistics nodes. Travel time is expected to fall by nearly two-and-a-half hours. In Telangana, four-laning of the Armoor–Jagtial–Mancherial and Jagtial–Karimnagar sections was approved at Rs 75.97 bn for the 190.76 km corridor, to be implemented through a mix of HAM and Build Operate Transfer toll models. The upgrade will decongest urban stretches and improve links to five economic nodes, seven social nodes and 10 logistics hubs. The government estimates travel time between Armoor and Mancherial will fall by about 90 minutes, and that Jagtial–Karimnagar could be shortened by 45 minutes. The CCEA approved the 143.53 km Khagaria–Purnea upgrade in Bihar at Rs 39.36 bn under the Build Operate Transfer toll model, including a 6.73-km greenfield bypass to improve safety and reduce congestion. In Madhya Pradesh works on NH-347B were approved at Rs 44.16 bn under HAM, involving targeted widening and a 16.2-km greenfield bypass in Khargone. Officials said the projects will lower vehicle operating costs and reduce emissions while strengthening regional access.