Bhubaneswar, November 6: Odisha is set to construct 75,000 kilometers of roads in the next five years, said Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, who holds the Law, Works, and Excise department in the state Government. The announcement was made during a press conference on the eve of the 84th Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) in Bhubaneswar.
Minister Harichandan emphasized that this significant infrastructure initiative underscores the state's dedication to enhancing connectivity, particularly in rural and industrial regions. He also highlighted that the IRC conference would offer a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing and discussions among road sector experts and engineers.
The 84th IRC Session, which is being hosted at Janata Maidan, is notable for being the sixth occasion Odisha has had the honor of hosting the prestigious event since its inception in 1934. It also marks the first time in a decade, since 2015, that the state is welcoming the conference. The four-day event will be officially inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Friday.
With over 3,500 delegates, including engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders from across India, the conference will focus on the theme, “Major Advances in Highway Technology and Policy.” One of the key highlights of the session will be the ‘Open-to-Sky’ Exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge road-building technologies, including mechanized mastic asphalt, fly ash utilization, porous concrete, and Nano-Modified Bitumen (NMB).
Other important events include the 235th IRC Council Meeting and the 85th Indian Roads Research Board Meeting, where government officials, researchers, and representatives from multilateral agencies will engage in discussions on the future of road infrastructure in India.
The inaugural ceremony will see the participation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, as well as Madhya Pradesh Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh, among other dignitaries.
The conference will conclude with post-event tours to Puri and Konark, offering attendees a chance to experience Odisha’s rich cultural heritage alongside the professional proceedings.
