The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has announced the development of a new 160.18 km coastal highway from Rameshwar to Paradeep in Odisha with a total capital cost of ₹8,300.79 crore. The project will consist of a 4-lane access-controlled highway from Rameshwar to Konark and a 2-lane highway with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradeep, designed for a speed of 100 km/hour.
The highway will pass through Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts, significantly reducing travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. This improvement will enhance both passenger movement and freight connectivity across the region.
The project is strategically designed to boost spiritual and cultural tourism by providing improved access to major religious sites including the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Konark Sun Temple, and Ramchandi Temple. It will also serve as a coastal tourism gateway connecting beaches, heritage sites, and biodiversity hotspots including the Gahirmatha turtle nesting sites.
Aligned with PM GatiShakti principles, the highway will connect 9 economic nodes and 5 logistics nodes, improving access to Paradeep Port, Puri Railway Station, Puri Airport, and other regional economic centers. The project is expected to create opportunities for local communities through the growth of tourism-based businesses including hotels, homestays, restaurants, and handicraft markets along the corridor.