Odisha to Build 500 Km Disaster-Proof Roads by 2030

12 May 2025 CW Team

The Odisha Cabinet has approved Rs 10 billion to construct 500 kilometres of disaster-resilient roads in regions vulnerable to floods and cyclones. Sanctioned under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana’, the five-year programme (2025–2030) aims to guarantee continuous connectivity during natural disasters.

According to a press release from the Government of Odisha, the planned road features include elevated embankments above flood levels, reinforced protection walls, improved drainage systems, and high-level bridges replacing previously submersible ones.

Designed to function as critical lifelines, these roads will allow rapid access for rescue teams and timely delivery of relief materials during emergencies, particularly during cyclones which frequently disrupt the state.

In a separate rural initiative, the Cabinet approved Rs 4.26 billion to upgrade roads in 142 assembly constituencies over three years. This scheme focuses on enhancing access to schools, healthcare centres, and markets by repairing neglected roads and strengthening infrastructure in remote areas.

The disaster-resilient roads will incorporate erosion-resistant stone pitching, catchwater drains along hillsides, and sufficient cross-drainage systems to manage floodwater. These features aim to lower maintenance costs and improve the durability of road networks in high-risk zones.

Work on both road projects is set to begin in the 2025–26 financial year, with rural road upgrades expected to conclude by 2026–27. The state government highlighted the importance of working with local bodies to prioritise critical routes and ensure effective implementation.

In another key decision, the Cabinet introduced a 50 per cent fare reduction for women, transgender individuals, students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities on state-run buses. This initiative, under the ‘Mukhyamantri Bus Seba’, aims to promote inclusive and affordable public transport across the state.

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..