Odisha To Convert Mining Roads To Eight Lane Highways

21 Apr 2026 CW Team

The Odisha chief minister laid the foundation stone for the Barbil Bypass Ring Road and inaugurated multiple completed projects in Keonjhar district. He opened projects completed at an outlay of Rs 294.1 million (mn) and laid foundations for further works valued at Rs 3.2643 billion (bn). The initiative is presented as part of a broader push to improve regional infrastructure, including roads, bridges, electricity and drinking water.

The proposed bypass?cum?ring road will span 18.326 kilometres and carries an estimated cost of Rs 15.8121 billion (bn) for completion. At the same ceremony an electrical sub?station with an estimated cost of Rs 2.98 billion (bn) was announced to serve Joda, Basudevpur and Barbil. The chief minister instructed the district administration to expedite the conversion of the Barbil?Paradip route to an eight?lane road.

The state government has decided to convert all roads leading to mining areas into eight?lane highways as part of an industrial facilitation strategy. Cabinet approval was reported for a grid sub?station at Keonjhar, a Rs 16.47 billion (bn) project that is expected to be completed within three years to ensure reliable power for residential and industrial sectors. Preparations are under way for a mega steel plant in the district and the government is offering administrative support to any industrial house investing more than Rs 100 billion (bn) and providing employment to more than 10,000 youth.

Skills development is being prioritised, with the Barbil industrial training institute planned to be upgraded to a centre of excellence to showcase local talent. The chief minister framed these measures as part of a target to deliver a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and linked them to national initiatives aimed at social and economic empowerment. He welcomed the extension of 33 per cent reservation for women and noted that an increase in assembly seats to 196 would strengthen women's representation.

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