In 2023-2024, Odisha intends to build 3,200 km of road

The Odisha state administration surpassed its goal by building rural roads totaling 2,189.72 km instead of the 2,000 km yearly target established by the end of February. By the conclusion of the current fiscal year, the Rural Development department anticipates that the overall length of new roads may surpass 2,500 km at the current rate of construction. In order to provide 40 habitations with all-weather connectivity in the upcoming fiscal year, the state has presented a proposal to the Center for the building of 3,200 km of roads. The state government has budgeted Rs 14.50 billion for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in expectation of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) clearance. According to the status report, the state has finished building 67,598 km of the 72,257 km of road that MoRD approved. 93% of the goals were met as 16,382 habitations are currently connected. Since 2020-21 the government approved 9,400 km for the PMGSY–III, of which 9,222 km have been awarded and 4,970 km have seen construction. With a budgetary assistance of Rs 20.61 billion, the state government has set an ambitious goal to build and improve 6,000 km of roads throughout the state in the upcoming fiscal year. While Rs 6.50 billion has been budgeted for new roads under the MMSY in 2023-2024, Rs 3.50 billion is set aside for RD road rehabilitation. The department spent Rs 8.25 billion on 135 road projects that totalled 725.51 km in length from February 2022-2023 until completion. Under the state programme Connection of Missing Road Links (CMRL) till February 2023, the department has completed 25 road projects totalling 147 km at a cost of roughly Rs 300 million. Under CMRL, a provision of Rs 3 billion has been established for 2023-2024. In addition, the government has budgeted Rs 19 billion to build 526 new bridges as part of the Biju Setu Yojana (BSY).