Bhubaneswar, April 4 The Centre has approved ₹447.11 crore for the upgrade of the national highway in the Nuapada and Bolangir districts of Odisha, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday.
The Kurumpuri–Raj Khariar section, covering a total length of 103.52 km of NH-353 and NH-59, will be upgraded.
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, in a post on X, said, "NH-353 and NH-59 together form a vital interstate corridor connecting the Raipur–Mahasamund region of Chhattisgarh with Odisha, extending further towards Berhampur and Gopalpur Port."
Gadkari said this project will significantly strengthen regional and interstate connectivity, ensuring smoother and more efficient movement of both passenger and freight traffic across Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Ganjam districts of Odisha.
The corridor improvement—through rectification of black spots and provision of paved shoulders—will enhance road safety, particularly for two-wheelers, which constitute a major share of traffic in the region, Gadkari said, adding that it will also improve access to key tourist destinations such as Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary in Nuapada district, and nearby hill regions, thereby boosting tourism and local economic development.
Thanking both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gadkari, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said this investment strengthens a vital interstate corridor, enhancing connectivity across key districts of Odisha.
"This transformative project will significantly improve road safety, enable smoother movement of passengers and freight, and unlock tourism potential at celebrated destinations such as Daringbadi and Sunabeda, accelerating regional development and bringing lasting prosperity to the people of Odisha," Majhi said in a post on X.