The Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has sanctioned ₹587.10 crore for the proposed Jharsuguda bypass road of NH-49. It will also have an elephant underpass structure for the safe movement of wildlife in the surrounding areas. This was informed by Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday. The road will commence from Budhipadar, Jharsuguda and end at Patrapali. While all the related works for this project have been completed, the construction work for this 31.24-km road will start shortly. Last month, Jharsuguda MLA and State Health Minister Naba Kisore Das had visited the spot and directed departmental officials to start the work soon.