The Odisha Government has given its consent to Rs 8,000 crore coastal highway project that will connect the state’s Tangi with West Bengal’s Digha, six years after the proposal was mooted. The first tender for laying a portion of the road could be invited by March 2022, as per reports. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will go for different regulatory approvals required for the project as the proposed road will pass in the vicinity of various forests and the Bay of Bengal and over rivers.
The crucial road project would originate from Tangi in Khordha district instead of Gopalpur in Ganjam district. The project will require close to 2,000 ha of land, while 15-20 per cent of the project cost would be spent towards acquisition of land. The highway will cross 11 rivers and a number of water channels in six coastal districts and hence, there will be a large number of bridges and culverts than in any other road project, add reports.