The State Government on Monday set a target for doubling the State highways by the end of 12th Five Year Plan period (2016-17) at an estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore.
This was decided at a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat to take stock of the implementation of State-controlled road projects.
According to official sources, Chief Minister Patnaik directed the Works Department authorities to complete the tendering process for the road doubling project and expedite the land acquisition by end of December next.
Sources said that out of 4,860 km of State Highways, doubling of roads has been completed for a stretch of 1,697 km so far. During the next three years, the State Government has targeted to complete the rest of 2,158 km length of State Highway of which 374.49 km has been slated to be completed during the current financial year 2013-14 at an estimated expenditure of Rs 617.87 crore, it said.
Chief Minister also stressed the need for completion of 232 km of State Highways in the Maoist infested areas. Among others, Chief Secretary, Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, Development Commissioner I Srinivas and Works Secretary Suvendu Ray were present.