The Narendra Modi Government has started work for ambitious 2 lakh km National Highway to boost the economic growth of the country, told Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari.
Addressing a large gathering at Angul on the eve of ' Bhumi Pujan' of four laning of Angul - Sambalpur section of New NH No. 55, Teleibani- Sambalpur section of New NH No 53 and Baleswar- Jharpokharia section of New NH No 18, Gadkari told that Odisha has got only 4,632 mm National Highway. However, within last three years, works have been started for 7,000 km National Highway in the State.
Gadkari told that , Talcher - Paradip waterways work will be started within six months, which will boost the economic growth of the State.
Re- tendering process has been started for Talcher- Chandikhole road. Similarly, a logistic park will be established at Angul, if State Government will provide land, he informed.
Union Tribal Affair Minister Jual Oram told that Angul- Sambalpur NH is the lifeline of Odisha and the Union Government has given due importance to it.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told that investment of Rs 2,350 crore in four laning of three NHs in Odisha will substantially boost the development of Odisha. Apart from it , the proposed waterways, Talcher- Kamakhyanagar road and 22 km Angul bypass will boost the economy.
State Minister of Transport Dr Nrusingh Sahu and Angul MlA RK Singh also spoke. Among others , the meeting was attended by State BJP president Basanta Panda, MlAs Rabi Naik, Nitin Gangdev and former MP RN Pany. The four laning of Angul - Sambalpur NH at the cost of Rs 1,255 crore is scheduled to be completed by August, 2019.
Just before starting of the meeting , some NHI officials distributed folders with Rs 500 note to the mediapersons, which was seriously resented. A FIR was lodged.
Various media forums and political leaders also condemned it.
The police detained around 30 Congress leaders including Sabita Dhir, Rupadipta Mohapatra, Sudeep Mishra and Balbir Singh before the meeting.