BJD Slams Centre Over Tender Cancellation of Coastal Highway Project in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, May 27: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has come down heavily on the Union Government following the abrupt cancellation of the tender for the Coastal Highway Project in Odisha, a key infrastructure initiative under the Bharatmala scheme.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, senior BJD leader and former minister Sanjay Dasburma condemned the move, calling it a betrayal of the aspirations of Odisha’s 4.5 crore people. He expressed serious concerns over the delay and re-evaluation of the ambitious project, which was expected to significantly boost infrastructure, transportation, and tourism across the coastal belt of the state.

Originally announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the Coastal Highway was planned to span approximately 413 km, running along the state’s coastline. The highway was later reduced to 346 km, with tenders floated for a 176 km stretch from Rameshwar to Ratanpur. However, Dasburma pointed out that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the remaining 170 km—from Ratanpur onward—remains incomplete, stalling the entire project.

“The cancellation of the tender without a clear alternative is unacceptable,” Dasburma stated. “Odisha’s development cannot be treated with such indifference. The highway was not just about connectivity, but also critical for disaster management in a state frequently battered by cyclones.”

He criticized the BJP-led government’s handling of the project, calling the “double engine” slogan a “double fraud,” implying a disconnect between promises and execution. Dasburma also raised alarms over reports that the project, initially planned as a four-lane highway, may be downgraded to two lanes after a recent re-evaluation—an alteration the BJD leader termed “completely unacceptable.”

He urged newly appointed Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene and push for the execution of the highway as per the original four-lane design. “This highway is vital not only for economic growth but also for saving lives during natural calamities,” he said.

The sudden reversal on the Coastal Highway tender has sparked political friction in the state, with the BJD positioning the issue as a litmus test for the BJP’s commitment to Odisha’s development.

As the state awaits clarity from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the central government, the future of the project remains uncertain.