Indus Valley Times

By Sukanta Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, June 10: The Biju Expressway which on Wednesday got the Odisha Cabinet’s approval will go a long-way in bringing prosperity to the people of western and southern Odisha districts.

The Cabinet chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik cleared the 174.5 km four-lane proposal. An estimated Rs 448.02 crore will be invested on the project that will lead to enhanced connectivity in the western Odisha region.

According to chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, the Expressway, passing through Kalahandi and Nuapada districts will boost trade and industrial activity as the State government is also working on developing the Biju Express Economic Corridor through the Industries department.

While the total length of Biju Expressway (Ghatipada-Sinapali) in Nuapada district will be 104.65 km including 6 minor bridges and 6 major bridges, a stretch of 69.85 km will pass through Kalahandi district (Sinapali-Dharmagarh-Ampani) which includes 11 minor bridges and two major bridges, he added.

The CS said that this will not only enhance connectivity in Western Odisha but also provide impetus to the industrial growth and overall economic development in the region.

The Biju Expressway was launched in 2014 by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik the election manifesto of the ruling BJD. It aimed at providing four-lane connectivity in western Odisha and KBK districts of the State. The cost of the project was pegged at Rs 3,630 crore for connecting Rourkela to Jagdalpur for a length of 650.64 km.

Ever since the Express way was made operational, movement of transport vehicles in the region has resulted in economic prosperity of the local farmers. Agriculture produce and forest produces are being procured by traders at competitive prices.

This apart, people of western Odisha are now connected in better way with the southern districts, thus getting integrated with a larger economy.