Centre Clears Rs 447.71 Bn for Odisha Road Projects

12 Dec 2025 CW Team

Odisha’s Minister for Works, Law and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, announced the sanctions after a review meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi, where the state’s highway expansion and connectivity needs were discussed.

Of the total outlay, around Rs 300 billion has been earmarked for the expansion and upgradation of National Highways, while about Rs 13 billion has been allocated for State Highway projects. The Centre has also approved a new greenfield high-speed corridor between Bhubaneswar and Paradip, aimed at improving direct connectivity to the port city.

Key National Highway projects include the eight-laning of the Bhubaneswar–Puri road, six-laning of the 140 km Tangi–Puintola–Ichhapuram stretch, eight-laning of the 400 km Rourkela–Bada Bil–Paradip via Duburi corridor, and four-laning of the 68 km Pallahara–Pitiri section of NH-149.

An additional Rs 15 billion has been sanctioned under the CRIF scheme, in line with commitments made during the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar in November 2025.

For State Highways, approvals worth Rs 131.41 billion include widening works on routes such as Barpali–Balangir, Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagarh, Balangir–Nayagarh, the Hinjilikatu Bypass and the Mohana–Paralakhemundi road, along with upgrades on NH-26.

The projects are expected to significantly enhance inter-district connectivity, support industrial corridors and strengthen Odisha’s transport network over the coming decade.

The central government has recently approved road development projects worth Rs 447.71 billion for Odisha for the 2025–26 financial year, providing a major boost to the state’s transport infrastructure. The approvals include five National Highway projects, five State Highway projects and multiple works under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). Odisha’s Minister for Works, Law and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, announced the sanctions after a review meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi, where the state’s highway expansion and connectivity needs were discussed. Of the total outlay, around Rs 300 billion has been earmarked for the expansion and upgradation of National Highways, while about Rs 13 billion has been allocated for State Highway projects. The Centre has also approved a new greenfield high-speed corridor between Bhubaneswar and Paradip, aimed at improving direct connectivity to the port city. Key National Highway projects include the eight-laning of the Bhubaneswar–Puri road, six-laning of the 140 km Tangi–Puintola–Ichhapuram stretch, eight-laning of the 400 km Rourkela–Bada Bil–Paradip via Duburi corridor, and four-laning of the 68 km Pallahara–Pitiri section of NH-149. An additional Rs 15 billion has been sanctioned under the CRIF scheme, in line with commitments made during the Indian Road Congress held in Bhubaneswar in November 2025. For State Highways, approvals worth Rs 131.41 billion include widening works on routes such as Barpali–Balangir, Kesinga–Bhawanipatna–Junagarh, Balangir–Nayagarh, the Hinjilikatu Bypass and the Mohana–Paralakhemundi road, along with upgrades on NH-26. The projects are expected to significantly enhance inter-district connectivity, support industrial corridors and strengthen Odisha’s transport network over the coming decade.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..