Gadkari announces ₹1,000 crore road infra fund for Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Nov 7: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday announced a ₹1,000 crore allocation for Odisha under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) to boost connectivity and accelerate infrastructure development in the state.

Addressing the 84th Indian Road Congress (IRC) in Bhubaneswar alongside Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Gadkari said that modern road construction across the world increasingly uses waste materials, and suggested that Bhubaneswar’s solid waste could be similarly utilized for sustainable and eco-friendly road building.

Describing the Indian Road Congress as the “soul of Indian road engineering”, Gadkari emphasized that it serves as a key platform for innovation, research, and knowledge sharing in infrastructure development.

He said India is poised to become the number one country globally in terms of road network, backed by a massive ₹2.87 lakh crore budget allocation for the development of high-quality roads. He also urged the adoption of advanced technology and the preparation of world-class Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to ensure superior-quality construction.

Highlighting the importance of road safety and green energy, Gadkari termed green hydrogen as the “fuel of the future”, noting India’s efforts to promote its production as part of the sustainable infrastructure drive.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in his address, lauded the rapid expansion of India’s road network under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said that while 91,000 km of national highways were built from Independence till 2014, another 55,000 km have been added in the past decade alone, reflecting Gadkari’s visionary leadership.

Majhi also revealed that a Comprehensive Infrastructure Master Plan is being prepared for Odisha’s all-round development. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the Union Government has sanctioned ₹13,069 crore worth of national highway projects for the state.

Gadkari has already initiated 19 road projects worth ₹4,000 crore and approved ₹9,000 crore more for 13 upcoming projects, Majhi added. The State Government aims to construct 75,000 km of roads within the next five years.

Odisha Works, Law and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan praised the Indian Road Congress for its pivotal role in advancing India’s highway sector, while Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasized the need to adopt global-quality standards in road construction.

The event also featured the felicitation of individuals who made outstanding contributions to road engineering and research. A souvenir was released on the occasion, and IRC President Prof. Manoranjan Parida along with Secretary General Rahul Gupta addressed the gathering.