Bhubaneswar, November 7: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday announced Rs 1,000 crore allocation from the under the Central Road Fund (CRF) for Odisha to boost road infrastructure in the State.
"Under the Central Road Fund, money is provided to State Governments for the development and maintenance of roads. I have approved an additional Rs 1,000 crore for Odisha. We will provide this additional funding based on the proposals we get from the State Government,” Gadkari told media persons after gracing the 84th Annual Convention of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) here.
On being asked on the Bhubaneswar Ring Road Project, Gadkari said, “I had already approved the Bhubaneswar Ring Road. There are three packages for which the foundation stone laying will be done soon. This project will be very important for Bhubaneswar," said the Union Minister.
Gadkari said India is making a decisive shift from being a fuel-importing to a fuel-exporting nation, propelled by the large-scale adoption of ethanol, methanol, bio-LNG, CNG, and green hydrogen.
“At the same time, the government remains deeply committed to road safety, integrating modern engineering standards, intelligent transport systems, and nationwide awareness initiatives to ensure safer and more efficient mobility for all,” said Gadkari.
Maintaining that road engineers hold a pivotal role in this transformation, Gadkari said, “From preparing accurate and future-ready DPRs to designing hassle-free, safety-assured highways, their technical precision determines the quality and safety of our infrastructure.
“The use of bio-bitumen and recycled plastic waste in highway construction is further enhancing durability, sustainability, and cost efficiency, aligning with our vision for eco-conscious development,” said the Union Minister.
“Our mission is to create world-class infrastructure founded on innovation and sustainable mobility solutions. This transformative agenda will generate vast employment opportunities, strengthen the infra-skill ecosystem, and guide India toward a self-reliant and resilient future,” added Union Minister Gadkari.
