Biju Expressway hits funds roadblock

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: One of the most important tasks of the State authorities, the Biju Expressway is languishing attributable to need of satisfactory budgetary help. The challenge, introduced within the 2014 election manifesto of the ruling BJD, was alleged to be accomplished in phases by 2024. The first section has already been delayed by three years and the challenge value has escalated to round Rs 5,000 crore. 

In March final 12 months, the State Cabinet had authorised a provision of Rs 448.02 crore for development and widening of the Biju Expressway. Official sources mentioned because of the Covid-19 pandemic, all financial actions got here to a standstill and the required budgetary provisions couldn’t be made for the challenge. However within the 2022-23 price range, Rs 300 crore provision was made for the challenge. Sources mentioned the precise budgetary provision for the challenge can solely be determined within the full price range which is scheduled to be positioned in July 2022. 

The 2022-23 price range was estimated at Rs 2 lakh crore. However, the State authorities handed a vote of account of Rs 1,06,498 crore due panchayat and concrete native physique elections. Works Minister Prafulla Mallik, nevertheless, mentioned work on the Biju Expressway is underway in full swing and might be accomplished in time. Though development actions have been allowed all through the pandemic interval, work slowed down throughout the lockdown, however  has picked up momentum now. The first section of the challenge might be accomplished quickly, he knowledgeable.

In the primary section, 254 km highway  of the challenge might be transformed into 4 lanes and 402 km into two lanes. In the second section, 258 km might be made four-lane. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had inaugurated the Sambalpur-Rourkela a part of the challenge in March, 2018.

Mandated to offer four-lane connectivity in western Odisha and KBK districts of the State, the challenge was estimated at Rs 3,630 crore. The challenge, beginning at Chandili in Koraput district as much as Rourkela, will cowl Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput districts. Out of 650.64 km size of the expressway, 183.20 km comes below highways that are being being developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and State freeway wing.