BJD criticised Centre for alleged delay in approval of Odisha Coastal Highway Project

Biju Janata Dal criticized the Narendra Modi Government for allegedly delaying and changing the Odisha Coastal Road Project announced in 2015

Reacting to the Union Cabinet’s approval for the Coastal Road connecting Konark between Rameshwar and Paradip, BJD said that the coastal road project worth 8301 crore has been approved after a long wait of 11 years.

The regional party stated that the Central Government has completely ignored the hopes and aspirations of the people of Odisha and that the project is not just a road project but also a historic initiative linked to the destiny of Odisha, its future, tourism, economy and overall development of the coastal region.

BJD leader Sanjay Kumar said: “In 2015, during Lord Jagannath’s Nabakalebara, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced the construction of a Coastal Highway of about 450 kilometers from Gopalpur to Digha at Pipili in Puri district. He had, however, promised to develop the Capital Region Ring Road and improve the Rameshwar-Chandanpur road by giving it National Highway status.” Das Burma.

“It is a matter of deep regret that after 11 long years, the Union Cabinet has approved only two portions of the project – Rameshwar to Konark and Konark to Paradip, for which Rs. 8301 crore has been allocated,” he said.

“It is clear that large coastal areas of Bhadrak and Balasore districts covering the area from Paradip to Digha have been excluded from the project. This decision of the Central Government has disappointed and upset the people of Odisha,” Mr. Das Burma said.

“Since the project was first announced, repeated compliance changes, three cancellations of tenders and administrative negligence have hindered the progress of the project. The earlier tenders floated by the government without financial approval were merely attempts to mislead the people of Odisha,” he said.

Stating that environmental objections regarding Chilika and Bhitarkanika regions have always been an obstacle to the project, the BJD leader said that the people of Odisha still hope that the Coastal Highway, which will connect the entire coastal belt, will be built as initially envisaged.

“Due to the discriminatory attitude of the Central Government towards Odisha, the structure and scope of the project has now been changed,” the party said.