Naveen launches Biju Expressway

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Aug 28: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched the Biju Expressway, an economic corridor from Jagdalpur in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh to Rourkela in Sundergarh district of Odisha.Biju Expressway will be immensely helpful in boosting the economy of western Odisha and KBK districts, Patnaik said at the launching ceremony held at the State Secretariat here.The total project outlay is Rs.3,200 crore.The project aims at connecting four districts of western Odisha namely Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Sundergarh with four KBK districts namely Koraput, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi and Nuapada, Patnaik said.He expressed happiness that the expressway was launched two days before celebration of Nuakhai festival in the western region of the State.The proposed expressway will connect many border towns of western and southern Odisha and also pass through one of the most backward regions of the State, Patnaik said.“Development through infrastructure building has always been at the top of our agenda.Socio-economic growth always follows quality road connectivity,” he observed.This massive connectivity network will help boost agriculture, trade & commerce, and social sector development.It will also support our initiatives in mainstreaming socially and economically backward people, the Chief Minister said.“I believe it will usher in an era of development, progress, peace and harmony.”In the first phase of this project, 254 kilometers will be made two lanes.In the second phase, 258 kilometers will be made four-lane.The first phase will be completed by May 2017 and the second phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.“Now it is taking a long 13 hours for travelling from Jagdalpur to Rourkela.After completion of this project, it will take just six hours to travel this distance,” Patnaik said.In its election manifesto before the elections earlier this year, the ruling Biju Janata Dal had promised to connect northern and southern Odisha with an expressway passing through KBK regions and western Odisha.