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.

Infrastructure Urban

23 Jan 2026

9th India–Myanmar Joint Trade Committee Meeting Held in Nay Pyi Taw

The ninth meeting of the India–Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, with a focus on strengthening bilateral trade and deepening economic cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by U Minn Minn, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Commerce of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.Representatives from relevant ministries and stakeholder departments from both countries participated in the discussions. The meeting covered a broad range of issues aim..

Infrastructure Urban

23 Jan 2026

DGCA Launches Digital Pilot Licence Services for ATPL

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) services for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), marking a significant step in the regulator’s ongoing digital transformation of aviation licensing in India. The service was inaugurated at an event held at the DGCA headquarters.Inaugurating the EPL ATPL service, Director General of Civil Aviation Faiz Ahmed Kidwai said the initiative represents a major advancement in strengthening India’s civil aviation regulatory framework through secure, modern and future-ready digital systems. He con..

Infrastructure Urban

23 Jan 2026

Cabinet Extends Atal Pension Yojana and Support Till 2030–31

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to the financial year 2030–31, along with the extension of government funding support for promotional and developmental activities and gap funding to ensure the scheme’s long-term sustainability.Under the approved framework, APY will continue to receive government support aimed at expanding its reach among unorganised and low-income workers. This includes funding for awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives and other developmental activities to strengthen ..