13 National Highway Projects in Odisha Miss Deadline

21 Aug 2024 CW Team

According to sources, several key projects are significantly delayed. These include the four-laning of the 251.5 km Cuttack-Sambalpur NH-55, undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 44.90 billion, the four-laning of the 50 km Rajamunda-Barkote NH-143 at Rs 6.16 billion, and the six-laning of the 62.6 km Bhadrak-Balasore section of NH-16 at Rs 11.89 billion, all of which are running more than three years behind schedule.

In addition to these, the four-laning of the 41.7 km Talcher-Kamakhyanagar section of NH-53, costing Rs 7.95 billion, and the four-laning of the 39.4 km Duburi-Chandikhole section of NH-53, costing Rs 7.89 billion, have been delayed for over a year.

Similarly, the six-laning of the 185.3 km Raipur-Visakhapatnam section of NH-130-CD, undertaken at Rs 67.82 billion under six packages in Odisha, has also been pending completion for at least a year.

The expansion of NH-55 into a four-lane highway, which began in 2017-18, was initially expected to be completed by 2020-21. However, the national highway, crucial for connectivity between coastal and western Odisha, has become a major inconvenience for commuters due to the prolonged delay and the lack of maintenance of the existing road.

Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) attributed the delays to several factors, including land acquisition issues, delays in obtaining forest clearances, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the slow progress by contractors. They indicated that work on NH-55 has resumed after a brief pause, with new deadlines set. The Angul-Sambalpur section is expected to be completed by October this year, while the Cuttack-Angul section is anticipated to be finished by the end of December.

According to the revised timelines, the four-laning of the Rajamunda-Barkote NH-143 is also expected to be completed by December 31, with delays previously caused by issues related to the relocation of high-tension electric towers and the construction of a 696-metre-long major bridge.

Despite the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) recently giving in-principle approval for four new national highway projects in Odisha, 13 critical sections spanning 630 km out of the 20 ongoing projects over a total of 776 km have failed to meet their completion deadlines. According to sources, several key projects are significantly delayed. These include the four-laning of the 251.5 km Cuttack-Sambalpur NH-55, undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 44.90 billion, the four-laning of the 50 km Rajamunda-Barkote NH-143 at Rs 6.16 billion, and the six-laning of the 62.6 km Bhadrak-Balasore section of NH-16 at Rs 11.89 billion, all of which are running more than three years behind schedule. In addition to these, the four-laning of the 41.7 km Talcher-Kamakhyanagar section of NH-53, costing Rs 7.95 billion, and the four-laning of the 39.4 km Duburi-Chandikhole section of NH-53, costing Rs 7.89 billion, have been delayed for over a year. Similarly, the six-laning of the 185.3 km Raipur-Visakhapatnam section of NH-130-CD, undertaken at Rs 67.82 billion under six packages in Odisha, has also been pending completion for at least a year. The expansion of NH-55 into a four-lane highway, which began in 2017-18, was initially expected to be completed by 2020-21. However, the national highway, crucial for connectivity between coastal and western Odisha, has become a major inconvenience for commuters due to the prolonged delay and the lack of maintenance of the existing road. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) attributed the delays to several factors, including land acquisition issues, delays in obtaining forest clearances, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the slow progress by contractors. They indicated that work on NH-55 has resumed after a brief pause, with new deadlines set. The Angul-Sambalpur section is expected to be completed by October this year, while the Cuttack-Angul section is anticipated to be finished by the end of December. According to the revised timelines, the four-laning of the Rajamunda-Barkote NH-143 is also expected to be completed by December 31, with delays previously caused by issues related to the relocation of high-tension electric towers and the construction of a 696-metre-long major bridge.

Infrastructure Transport

16 Sep 2025

Adani Ports to block vessels under US, UK, EU sanctions

The Adani Group has barred vessels subject to sanctions by the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union from docking at its ports, according to an order reviewed by Reuters. The move is intended to protect the group’s legal and commercial interests at a time when international shipping is under increasing scrutiny.The directive stated, “To safeguard the legal and commercial interests of the Port, we hereby emphasize that sanctioned vessels are not accepted.” It also instructed that vessel agents must provide a written undertaking confirming that their ships are not subject to sa..

Infrastructure Urban

16 Sep 2025

Tega-Apollo consortium to acquire Molycop for $1.5 bn

Tega Industries, in consortium with funds managed by affiliates of Apollo, entered into a term sheet on September 10 to acquire Molycop, a leading global supplier of grinding media for the mining industry. The deal, valued at $1.5 billion, will be executed with American Industrial Partners (AIP) as the seller.According to a stock exchange filing, the company noted, “This strategic, complementary acquisition will establish Tega Industries as one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of ‘critical-to-operate’ consumables for certain production steps in the mining, mineral pro..

Infrastructure Urban

16 Sep 2025

JSW Infra to invest ₹380 cr in Karnataka logistics park

JSW Infrastructure has acquired an 86-acre brownfield rail siding at Kudathini in Ballari, Karnataka, for ₹57 crore to develop a multi-modal logistics park (MMLP). The total investment for the project is expected to reach ₹380 crore over the coming years.The project, undertaken through the company’s subsidiary JSW Port Logistics, will feature a rail freight terminal, an inland container depot, and modern cargo-handling systems. According to the company, commercial operations are likely to commence within the next six months, with further expansion carried out in phases.JSW Infra stated t..