The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) will develop the 160.18-km Rameshwar-Paradeep Coastal Highway in Odisha at a cost of Rs 8,300.79 crore. The project will improve connectivity to Puri, Konark and Paradeep, reduce travel time by 2.5 hours, strengthen logistics and promote tourism under the PM GatiShakti initiative.
Key Highlights
- MoRTH to build a 160.18-km Rameshwar-Paradeep Coastal Highway at Rs 8,300.79 crore.
- The highway will reduce travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by nearly 2.5 hours.
- The corridor will connect 9 economic nodes and 5 logistics nodes under PM GatiShakti.
- The project will boost tourism, port connectivity, pilgrimage travel and local economic development.
New Delhi, July 20: The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is set to transform Odisha’s coastal infrastructure with the development of the 160.18-km Rameshwar-Paradeep Coastal Highway, a flagship project with an estimated investment of Rs 8,300.79 crore. According to an official factsheet, the new highway will significantly improve regional connectivity, strengthen logistics and accelerate economic growth along Odisha’s eastern coastline.
The project comprises 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 maximum speed of 100 km per hour. Once operational, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time by nearly two hours and 30 minutes, enabling faster movement of passengers as well as freight.
Developed in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the coastal highway will connect 9 economic nodes and 5 logistics nodes, enhancing multimodal connectivity across the state. The project will also improve access to strategic infrastructure, including Paradip Port, Puri Railway Station, the upcoming Puri Airport, and other important industrial and commercial centres, strengthening Odisha’s logistics ecosystem.
The highway will pass through the districts of Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur, linking key cultural, religious and tourism destinations. It will provide seamless connectivity between the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Konark Sun Temple, and the Ramchandi Temple, making pilgrimage travel safer, faster and more convenient for millions of devotees visiting the state every year.
The Rameshwar-Paradeep Coastal Highway is also expected to emerge as a major coastal tourism corridor, connecting beaches, heritage sites, biodiversity hotspots and coastal communities. Improved road connectivity will encourage beach tourism, eco-tourism and heritage tourism, while providing easier access to ecologically significant areas, including the internationally renowned Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, home to one of the world’s largest Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites.
Beyond tourism, the project is expected to generate substantial economic opportunities for local communities by promoting investments in hotels, homestays, restaurants, handicraft markets, transport services and tourism-related enterprises. By improving access to coastal regions and enhancing freight movement, the highway is also expected to support industrial development and strengthen Odisha’s role as a key logistics and maritime hub on India’s eastern coast.
The Rs 8,300 crore Rameshwar-Paradeep Coastal Highway is poised to become one of Odisha’s most transformative infrastructure projects. By improving connectivity, supporting PM GatiShakti, boosting tourism and strengthening logistics, the corridor is expected to drive long-term economic growth while enhancing access to the state’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
