(a) the present status of new National Highway (NH) on the Palasa-Ramanguda-Bissamcuttak-Bhabanipatna-Padmapur stretch along Odisha and Chhattisgarh Border which had been accorded in-principle approval by the Government; and
(b) whether the Government proposes to provide access to the district of Kandhamal with this proposed NH keeping in view the lesser access in terms of road/ rail connectivity in Kandhamal district; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS
(Shri NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) The stretch of road from Palasa -Ramanguda- Bissamcuttack – Bhawanipatana- Padamapur- Chattisgarh border was earlier approved as in-principle NH and DPR for development of this stretch to 2-lane NH was taken up. However, the said stretch of road has not been declared as NH. Ministry keeps on receiving proposals from various State Governments/UTs, etc., including from the State of Odisha for declaration / up-gradation of State roads as National Highways (NHs). Ministry considers declaration of some of the State roads as NHs from time to time based on the requirements of connectivity, traffic levels, inter-se priority and availability of resources subject to fulfilment of criteria for declaration as new NHs.
(b) & (c) Kandhamal district is presently connected by 3 National Highways, namely, NH-59, NH-157 and NH-157A.
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