In a landmark announcement that underscores Odisha’s growing leadership in national infrastructure development, Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, who holds the portfolios of Law, Works, and Excise, declared that the state will construct 75,000 kilometres of new roads over the next five years.
The announcement, made on the eve of the 84th Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) in Bhubaneswar, signals a bold leap in the state’s ambition to achieve comprehensive connectivity, industrial expansion, and rural transformation.
“This historic road development initiative reflects Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Odisha’ — self-reliant, connected, and inclusive. The focus is on last-mile access, industrial corridors, and resilient infrastructure that will power Odisha’s economic resurgence,” said Minister Prithviraj Harichandan at the press conference.
A Vision Rooted in Progress and Connectivity
The 75,000 km road mission, encompassing state highways, rural roads, and industrial linkages, aims to redefine mobility across all 30 districts of Odisha.
Minister Harichandan stated that special emphasis will be placed on backward and tribal districts, ensuring that the benefits of development reach the remotest corners of the state.
“Roads are not just infrastructure; they are instruments of empowerment,” he remarked. “Better roads mean better access to schools, hospitals, markets, and opportunities — they connect people to progress.”
The Works Department, under Harichandan’s dynamic leadership, is also introducing geo-tagged monitoring, AI-based road quality audits, and automated project tracking systems, marking a new era of data-driven governance in public works.
Indian Roads Congress Returns to Odisha After a Decade
The announcement coincides with Odisha’s proud moment of hosting the 84th Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) — one of India’s oldest and most prestigious engineering forums.
The four-day event, to be inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, will draw over 3,500 delegates, including policy-makers, engineers, and global industry leaders.
This marks Odisha’s sixth time hosting the event since its inception in 1934 — and the first in a decade, the last being in 2015. The venue, Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar, has been transformed into a hub of innovation and technical collaboration.
“It is a matter of immense pride that Odisha is once again at the centre of India’s infrastructure dialogue,” said Harichandan. “The IRC platform gives us a chance to showcase our achievements and learn from global best practices.”
Showcasing Innovation: Technology Meets Infrastructure
One of the key attractions of the event is the ‘Open-to-Sky’ Exhibition, featuring state-of-the-art road construction technologies and sustainable materials such as:
- Mechanised Mastic Asphalt Systems
- Fly Ash Utilisation in Pavement Design
- Porous Concrete for Drainable Roads
- Nano-Modified Bitumen (NMB) for longer-lasting highways
These innovations align with Odisha’s commitment to eco-friendly, resilient, and cost-effective infrastructure, reflecting Harichandan’s insistence on “green engineering for a sustainable tomorrow.”
A Platform for Policy, Research, and Global Partnerships
The event will also host the 235th IRC Council Meeting and the 85th Indian Roads Research Board Meeting, where national and state-level engineers, planners, and multilateral agency representatives will deliberate on emerging technologies, climate resilience, and financial models for large-scale infrastructure projects.
“Odisha is not only building roads — it is building a future-ready infrastructure ecosystem,” said Harichandan. “We are integrating modern design with social purpose, ensuring every rupee spent translates into inclusive growth.”
The inaugural session will be graced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, and Madhya Pradesh PWD Minister Rakesh Singh, alongside senior bureaucrats and international experts.
Odisha’s New Roadmap: Driving Growth, Empowering Districts
Minister Harichandan outlined that the Works Department’s five-year roadmap prioritises:
- Rural connectivity: Strengthening road networks under PMGSY and state-funded schemes.
- Industrial corridors: Linking key manufacturing and logistics clusters in Cuttack, Angul, Sambalpur, and Kendrapara.
- Coastal & disaster-resilient roads: Ensuring all-weather access in cyclone-prone regions.
- Smart mobility infrastructure: Expanding urban roads, flyovers, and intelligent traffic systems in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and Rourkela.
He added that Odisha’s total annual outlay for public works now exceeds ₹12,000 crore, with enhanced focus on transparency, tender reforms, and contractor accountability.
Showcasing Odisha’s Cultural and Engineering Pride
As the IRC session concludes, delegates will be taken on curated visits to Puri and Konark, offering a blend of technical learning and cultural exploration. The tours will showcase how Odisha’s heritage architecture, coastal engineering, and modern infrastructure coexist in harmony.
“From ancient stone marvels to modern steel bridges, Odisha reflects India’s engineering spirit,” Harichandan noted.
Conclusion: Roads That Lead to Prosperity
Under the Majhi Government’s visionary leadership and Prithviraj Harichandan’s pragmatic execution, Odisha is emerging as a model state for infrastructure excellence — combining speed with sustainability, and innovation with inclusivity.
The construction of 75,000 km of roads is not just a development target — it is a mission to connect hearts, homes, and hopes across every corner of Odisha.
With a clear vision, transparent governance, and unwavering commitment, Minister Harichandan is paving the road to a stronger, more prosperous, and globally connected Odisha.