Plan for 4-Lane Carriageway to Link Dhamra Port and Jamujhari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Friday that a four-lane carriageway will soon be constructed between Jamujhari on NH-16 and Dhamra port to facilitate smooth transportation in the region's industrial cluster. The minister provided this update in a written response to a question raised by Bhadrak MP, Avimanyu Sethi, in the Rajya Sabha.

In his reply, Gadkari explained that Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL) is currently developing a two-lane road along the economic corridor to support the security and maintenance of surrounding infrastructure, including the railway line, water systems, and electrical networks.

Sethi had inquired about the status of the proposed highway, which was initially announced by the minister during his visits to Puri and several election meetings. The MP also raised concerns about delays in the completion of the detailed project report (DPR) and whether these delays were due to the lack of approval from the ministry.

Acknowledging the inefficiency of the existing two-lane road for heavy commercial vehicle movement, Gadkari assured that the ministry would expedite the construction of a four-lane divided carriageway. This new infrastructure, according to Gadkari, will improve the transportation of port cargo and facilitate the transport of agricultural and pisciculture products to Dhamra. The development is expected to enhance industrialization and economic growth in the region.

The minister further highlighted that the four-lane carriageway will also ensure efficient supply movement during natural disasters. He confirmed that the state government has agreed to a greenfield alignment for the project, marking a significant step forward in the area's development.

ET