The Samikhsya Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday, took up several important infrastructure projects with Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on virtual mode.
Union Petroleum & Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also participated.
Initiating the discussion, the Chief Minister proposed for early completion of various ongoing NH projects in mines rich Keonjhar district and subsequent 8-laning of the projects.
He mentioned that Keonjhar is quite an important district for the state’s economy and also for the steel industry of the entire country.
He further stated that there have been some measures proposed in the Union Budget to increase material availability for steel.
Naveen also proposed a 300 Km 8-lane integrated economic corridor from Paradip to Barbil consisting 6 stretches. He suggested, in the interim, the option of 4-laning of these roads with service roads can also be explored.
The State is willing to be a partner and extend all support to this economic corridor, he assured.
The Chief Minister suggested regular meetings with the Union Minister once in every two months and official level meetings with the Union Government every month to speed up the project.
He also proposed 300 Km Digha-Satpada coastal Highways and early solution to various issues relating to this project.
He informed that the State Government has given all necessary clearances for this project and it can be taken up immediately.
Union Minister Gadkari agreed to the Chief Minister’s proposal.
The issues of ports connectivity including Gopalpur, Subarnarekha, Astharang, Paradip and Dhamara were discussed and it was decided that appropriate steps will be taken for quick completion of these projects.
Among other issues, Ampani-Jaeypore Road which is a part of Biju Express Way, Bhubaneswar-Puri Express Way and Raipur-Visakhapatnam Road were also discussed.
Senior officers of Union Government, State Government and the NHAI participated in the discussion.
