Central Government Backs Out of the Previously Announced Project for the Development of Coastal Odisha
Centre Must Clarify the Status of the Capital Region Ring Road and Rameswar–Chandanpur National Highway Projects
Bhubaneswar (Odisha Tazanews) :- The Central Government has announced that the Odisha Coastal Highway Project has finally received approval from the Union Cabinet after a long wait of 11 years. However, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly criticized yesterday’s announcement, stating that the Central Government has completely disregarded the hopes and aspirations of the people of Odisha.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan today, former Minister and Vice-President of the party, Shri Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, stated that the Coastal Highway is not merely a road project but a historic initiative linked to Odisha’s destiny, future, tourism, economy, and the overall development of the coastal region.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Das Burma said that in 2015, during the Nabakalebara of Lord Jagannath, Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari had announced the construction of a nearly 450-kilometre-long Coastal Highway from Gopalpur to Digha at Pipili in Puri district. Along with this, he had also promised the development of the Capital Region Ring Road and the upgradation of the Rameswar–Chandanpur road by granting it National Highway status.
However, it is a matter of deep regret that after 11 long years, the Union Cabinet has approved only two stretches of the project—from Rameswar to Konark and from Konark to Paradip—with an allocation of ₹18,300 crore. It is evident that the vast coastal regions of Bhadrak and Balasore districts, covering the stretch from Paradip to Digha, have been excluded from the project. This decision of the Central Government has disappointed and distressed the people of Odisha.
Since the project was first announced, repeated changes in alignment, cancellation of tenders on three occasions, and administrative neglect have hindered its progress. The tenders floated earlier by the Government, without financial approval, were merely attempts to mislead the people of Odisha.
Environmental objections relating to the Chilika and Bhitarkanika regions have also caused repeated hurdles to the project. Nevertheless, the people of Odisha had hoped that the Coastal Highway would be constructed as originally envisaged, connecting the entire coastal belt. However, due to the discriminatory attitude of the Central Government towards Odisha, the very structure and scope of the project have now been altered.
Shri Das Burma further questioned the current status of the Capital Region Ring Road and the Rameswar–Chandanpur National Highway projects announced in 2015. Why have the Central Government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) remained silent regarding these projects? Similarly, the Central Government must clearly state its position on the future of the remaining Coastal Highway stretch from Paradip to Digha.
He said that merely showing dreams to the people of Odisha is not enough; genuine development must take place. The Biju Janata Dal demands that the original DPR for the Coastal Highway from Gopalpur to Digha be reconsidered and implemented in its entirety. Completion of this project would provide a new impetus to tourism, trade, industry, and the overall development of Odisha’s coastal region. BJD Spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty was also present at the press conference.
