By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, June 5, 2016 : The National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) and the Odisha government finally have agreed to work in tandem to develop 1912 kilometre of national highway running through the state within the stipulated time-frame.

A meeting on Saturday between a delegation of NHAI led by its chairman Raghav Chandra and top state government officials seems to have resolved issues relating to several clearances and to expedite the work.

Matters relating to forest diversion, environmental clearance, availability of road construction materials, disbursement of compensation to people, tree felling in forest land and GPS survey were discussed, an official said.

“Odisha is a very fast progressing state from the viewpoints of industrialisation and tourism. The state is also important from the view point of its location. NHAI would work in coordination with state administration for improvement of roads,” Chandra said.

Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi assured that the state government would expedite all the works and provide necessary support for early completion of the projects.

Five out of the eight toll gates managed by NHAI in Odisha were alleged to be collecting money in violation of norms. The state government has been entrusted the job of giving a detailed proposal on the matter to the NHAI for consideration of the Surface Transport and Highways Ministry.

Decisions would be taken keeping in view the convenience of the people, Padhi clarified.

It was decided in the meeting that NHAI would engage retired Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Forest Service (OFS) officials to expedite the land acquisition and forest diversion proposals.