The Odisha government has given the green signal for a major road infrastructure project that will dramatically cut travel time between Pipili and Konark — from the current 90 minutes to just 30 minutes.
The ambitious Pipili–Konark Greenfield Corridor was finalised on Friday during a high-level review of road connectivity in Puri district. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida along with Law, Works & Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
Key Features of the Project
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Length: 40 km
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Width: 200 feet
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Lanes: Four-lane highway
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Speed: Vehicles allowed to move up to 100 km/h
Deputy CM Pravati Parida confirmed that design work for the corridor has already started, and land acquisition will begin soon after receiving the necessary clearances.
The existing Pipili–Konark road will also undergo an upgrade, being widened from 7 metres to 10 metres, easing the pressure during peak tourist seasons. Both projects aim to improve accessibility to the UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Sun Temple at Konark, while also boosting tourism, local commerce, and overall road safety.
Other Road Projects in the Pipeline
The review meeting also addressed several other connectivity initiatives in Puri and Nimapara constituencies:
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In Puri town, the Taj International–Jagannath Stadium road will be expanded into a four-lane stretch.
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Surveys will be conducted for key routes including Chaitanya Road to Balisahi, Dolamandap Sahi Road, and the road from Jhadeshwari Club to Medical Chhak.
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In Nimapara, two four-lane roads are proposed — one from Charichhak to Astarang and another connecting Jalarpur and Charichhak.
With these projects, the state government aims to transform road connectivity in the Puri-Konark region, catering to both tourists and local commuters.
