Odisha to build 160-km Coastal Highway linking Rameshwar and Paradeep
Odisha will see a 160-km access-controlled coastal highway built by NHAI, reducing travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by about 2.5 hours. The project will be delivered in two packages under HAM at a combined cost of Rs 8,300.79 crore, with a 100 kmph design speed and distinct lane configurat
Key takeaways
- NHAI will develop a 160-km coastal highway between Rameshwar and Paradeep in Odisha.
- Travel time is expected to drop by approximately 2.5 hours upon completion.
- The project is funded at Rs 8,300.79 crore and implemented via Hybrid Annuity Mode.
What Happened
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is developing a new 160-km coastal highway in Odisha to connect Rameshwar with Paradeep. The project is planned as an access-controlled greenfield route and is expected to shorten the travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by approximately 2.5 hours. The corridor will be implemented in two packages: the first covers 79.4 km from Rameshwar to Konark as a four-lane access-controlled highway, and the second covers 80.7 km from Konark to Paradeep as a two-lane highway with paved shoulders. The overall capital cost for the project is Rs 8,300.79 crore and it will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
The highway is designed for a speed of 100 kmph and is expected to provide faster connectivity to major tourist destinations in the region, including the Jagannath Temple, Puri Beach, and Konark Sun Temple. It can also serve as an alternative route to existing NH-16 and NH-316, potentially improving access to Puri, Konark, Paradeep Port, and the developing Puri International Airport, as well as nearby ports such as Astarang and Subarnarekha. The corridor would connect several Odisha districts, including Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur, and could address traffic issues on current routes that pass through major urban areas.
During the bidding process, NHAI received substantial interest, with 10 bids for the Rameshwar-Konark package and seven bids for the Konark-Paradeep package. The project is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities during construction, estimated at about 53.6 lakh direct man-days and 67 lakh indirect man-days.
Why It Matters
Officials say the new corridor could shift long-distance traffic away from congested stretches of existing highways, potentially reducing fuel consumption, vehicle operating costs, and carbon emissions. By improving regional connectivity, the project aims to support economic activity in coastal Odisha and enhance access to important tourist and port facilities, which may influence regional trade and logistics efficiency.
Background
The Rameshwar-Paradeep Coastal Highway is described as a greenfield, access-controlled highway that will run parallel to or near existing routes NH-16 and NH-316. The first package will be four lanes, while the second will be two lanes with paved shoulders, reflecting a mix of capacity and traffic requirements along different segments. The project is positioned as an alternative to the current routes that pass through major urban areas and experience ribbon development, which the project aims to avoid by design.
Key Facts
- Route: Rameshwar to Paradeep, Odisha
- Total length: 160 km (two packages: 79.4 km and 80.7 km)
- Lane configuration: First package is four-lane; second package is two-lane with paved shoulders
- Design speed: 100 kmph
- Cost: Rs 8,300.79 crore (combined)
- Delivery model: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
- Bids received: 10 for Rameshwar-Konark; 7 for Konark-Paradeep
- Expected benefits: reduced travel time by ~2.5 hours; improved connectivity to Puri, Konark, Paradeep Port; potential reductions in fuel use and emissions; potential lowering of logistics costs
- Employment impact during construction: 53.6 lakh direct man-days; 67 lakh indirect man-days
What Happens Next
Details on the next steps beyond bid submission include continuing project approvals and finalization of HAM contract terms, with construction timelines contingent on project clearance and funding arrangements. Further government and agency announcements would indicate any revised schedules, targeted completion dates, or additional corridor features beyond the current package descriptions.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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