By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 3, 2016 : The Odisha government on Saturday decided to construct a 451 km long coastal highway along the coastal line under the Bharatmala project.

The decision was made at a high-level meeting of the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI), Odisha region, chaired by development commissioner R. Balakrishnan.

Two expert consultants have been engaged for a preliminary survey and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which is likely to be rady before the end of this fiscal.

Balakrishnan advised the NHAI to share the plan with the respective departments and collectors for their considered inputs.

Dharmanada Sarangi, Chief General Manager of NHAI, said the proposed road will pass through Chhatrapur-Satapada, Konark-Astaranga-Nuagaon-Paradeep-Ratanpur-Satabhaya-Dhamara-Basudevpur-Talapada-Chandipur-Chandaneswar-Digha.

Some 178 villages will be connected through the road while several bridges will be constructed on Rushikulya, Palur sahib canal, Chilika lake, Dhanikhiya river, Nua, Khushabhadra, Kadua, Devi, Hansua, Mahanadi, Gobari, Patashala, Brahmani, Baitarani, Mantei, Panchapara, Dubdubi and Subarnarekha river.

The road also will serve as a highway linkage to all the ports in the state.