The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed the unveiling of a robust budget by the Works Department, aimed at transforming the state’s infrastructure landscape.
The Minister of Law, Works, & Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, presented a comprehensive budget for the financial year 2025-26, detailing significant allocations and new initiatives to enhance the road and building network across Odisha.
Budget Highlights
- Administrative Expenditure: ₹2996.68 Crore
- Programme Expenditure: ₹9451.75 Crore
- Total Budget: ₹12448.43 Crore
Key Projects and Initiatives
The Works Department announced a grand plan to construct a world-class 15,000 km road network over the next five years. The department oversees various road types, including 4,112 km of State Highways, 2,632 km of Major District Roads, and 22,866 km of Other District Roads. Additionally, it manages the construction and maintenance of 5,753 km of National Highways.
The department is also responsible for maintaining 1,41,90,151 square meters of building space, including medical colleges, hospitals, educational institutions, and administrative buildings.
New Proposals
To address the congestion in Bhubaneswar, several proposals were introduced, including elevated corridors, flyovers, underpasses, and the construction of Inner and Outer Ring Roads. Selected state highways will be upgraded to 4-lane roads to accommodate increasing traffic. Four major bridge projects have been approved, including significant bridges over key rivers.
Vision for Viksit Odisha 2036
In a forward-looking approach, the government aims to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Odisha’s state formation with the “Viksit Odisha” initiative. Key projects include several 6-lane roads connecting different regions of the state with an estimated total cost of ₹68,200 Crore. These projects aim to bolster connectivity and economic growth across Odisha.
Reform Measures
The budget outlines numerous reform measures, including the adoption of new technologies in road construction and maintenance, enhanced training programs for engineers, and comprehensive policy revisions to streamline operations.
Major Schemes
The budget proposes substantial investments in various schemes, such as the Road Development Programme (RDP) with a budget of ₹6080.30 Crore, and the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) with ₹750 Crore. Other notable schemes include the Capital Road Development Programme (CRDP), Integrated Development of Heritage Sites, and the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
The government also plans to improve infrastructure in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas and enhance the connectivity of heritage and tourist sites, ensuring holistic development across Odisha.
With this ambitious budget, the Odisha government aims to create a resilient and efficient infrastructure network, paving the way for sustainable development and economic prosperity in the state.
The Works Department is set to embark on a journey towards transforming Odisha’s landscape and fulfilling the aspirations of its people.
