The Odisha government has approved a ₹1,426 crore investment to enhance road infrastructure and public transport. Under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana’, ₹1,000 crore is allocated to construct 500 km of disaster-resilient roads in cyclone and flood-prone districts by 2030. These roads will feature elevated embankments, reinforced protection walls, modern drainage systems, and high-level bridges to ensure year-round accessibility during emergencies.
Additionally, ₹426 crore is earmarked to upgrade rural roads across 142 assembly segments over the next three years. The project aims to improve connectivity between remote villages and essential services like schools, hospitals, and markets, incorporating engineering enhancements such as stone pitching and hillside drains to increase durability.
Both initiatives are set to commence in the 2025–26 fiscal year, with the rural road upgrades expected to conclude by 2026–27. Local bodies will assist in identifying priority routes to ensure effective implementation.
Furthermore, the government has introduced a 50% fare discount on state-run buses for women, students, transgender persons, seniors, and persons with disabilities under the ‘Mukhyamantri Bus Seba’ scheme, aiming to make public transport more affordable for vulnerable groups.
