Cuttack-Chandbali state higway project all set to take off

KENDRAPARA (ODISHA): Work for the much delayed and World Bank-funded Cuttack-Chandbali state highway expansion project in Odisha is all set to take off.


The 106-km long and Rs 800 crore worth highway expansion project mooted in 2006 had failed to make a headway due to land acquisition problems.

Authorities claimed that the "land acquisition process is almost complete" and have invited global tender for the project that would reduce the road distance between the state capital and Kolkata.

The said state highway dotted by thickly populated human settlements is widely regarded as one of the busiest road routes in the state.

Officials had to contend with private land acquisition, encroachment of government land, relocation of roadside places of worships.

Besides, several roadside pucca houses had sprouted up. "Thus there was considerable delay in land acquisition," said Kendrapara district collector, Durga Prasad Behera.

Land acquisition officer (World Bank projects) Odisha, A K Nanda, said work would start after finalisation of tender.

"Land acquisition process is almost complete. Roadside land has already been acquired in 95 villages. Felling of roadside trees, relocation of places of worship and electricity poles are also nearing completion." he said.

The project envisaging widening the circuitous 106 km long highway is widely regarded as lifeline for people in Kendrapara district.

Besides Kendrapara, the highway also traverses through Bhadrak and Cuttack districts. The government had decided to widen the state highway way back in 2006. With World Bank assistance the project was to be completed by 2008-09.

For multiplicity of factors, there had been delay in resumption of the project work.

The private land owners have received compensation to the tune of Rs 40 crore so far against the loss of their immovable property. 64 places of worship were demolished with funds sanctioned for the rebuilding in private land, officials said.