Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the Centre’s approval of Rs 447.11 crore for the upgradation of the Kurumpuri–Raj Khariar road section spanning 103.52 km across National Highways 353 and 59 in Odisha’s Nuapada and Balangir districts.
The project forms a critical interstate corridor linking Chhattisgarh’s Raipur–Mahasamund region with Odisha, extending further towards Berhampur and Gopalpur Port. Once completed, it will significantly improve passenger and freight movement across multiple districts, including Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Ganjam.
Key features of the upgrade include rectification of black spots and the addition of paved shoulders to enhance safety, especially for two-wheelers, which form a major portion of traffic in the region.
The improved corridor will also provide better access to popular tourist destinations such as Daringbadi, the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, and nearby hill areas, giving a strong boost to local tourism and economic development.
This initiative aligns with the government’s Gati Shakti mission aimed at integrated and multimodal infrastructure planning for faster regional growth.
The announcement has been welcomed as a step towards strengthening western Odisha’s connectivity and supporting both industrial logistics and tourism potential in the area.
