Odisha’s Public Works Department (PWD) has revealed ambitious plans to enhance the state’s road infrastructure as part of the 2026-27 budget allocations.
Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan presented the expenditure demands in the Assembly on March 20, 2026, highlighting the government’s commitment to establishing a pothole-free, smooth, and world-class road network to support Odisha’s vision of becoming a developed state.
The department has been allocated ₹13,451 crore for the financial year, with a strong emphasis on road construction, traffic decongestion, and connectivity improvements.
The minister announced that all PWD roads will be made pothole-free and polished, while state highways will be upgraded to four-lane standards, and single-lane roads will be expanded to two lanes.
Key highlights from the budget include:
- A target to build 15,000 km of world-class roads over the next five years, with an annual plan for 3,000 km of high-quality road development.
- ₹7,085 crore specifically earmarked for road improvements.
- In Bhubaneswar, ₹350 crore allocated for widening 20 km of roads to alleviate traffic congestion.
- Under the Capital Road Development Programme, 37 roads in Bhubaneswar have been approved, along with proposals to upgrade airport-connecting roads to four lanes.
- Major corridor projects include:
- The Motu-Tirisingi road (approximately 969 km) connecting southern to northern Odisha, with an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore.
- Jharsuguda-Baleswar corridor (383 km) linking industrial and mining areas to Dhamra Port, budgeted at around ₹7,500 crore.
- Rourkela-Jaleswar road (391 km) connecting Rourkela’s steel city to Subarnarekha Port, with a ₹2,200 crore allocation.
- Additionally, ₹530 crore has been allocated for central scheme-supported road and bridge works.
- Heritage preservation received attention, with ₹200 crore for temples and monuments, ₹50 crore for Maa Tarini Pitha in Ghatgaon, and ₹50 crore for the Ekamra Kshetra heritage cluster.
The budget proposals garnered support from ruling party members during discussions and were subsequently approved in the Assembly.
