What Key Proposals Did the Odisha Cabinet Approve?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Investment of Rs 1,000 crore for disaster-resilient roads.
- Implementation period from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
- Focus on enhancing rural connectivity through the CWA scheme.
- Durable road infrastructure to withstand natural disasters.
- Targeting 500 km of road development.
Bhubaneswar, May 7 (NationPress) The Cabinet of Odisha convened on Wednesday to endorse a series of significant proposals, including the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana - Disaster Resilient Roads, which features a budget of Rs 1,000 crore aimed at constructing robust road systems in regions most susceptible to disasters within the state.
During a session presided over by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Cabinet sanctioned eight proposals spanning five departments of Odisha.
According to a press release from the state government, "The Odisha government has initiated a new program, the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana - Disaster Resilient Roads, designed to foster the development of dependable road infrastructure. This initiative aims to minimize connectivity disruptions during and after disasters, thereby facilitating uninterrupted access to emergency services in affected regions of the state."
The government asserts that these roads will act as a vital lifeline in disaster-prone regions, engineered to endure damage from calamities with minimal upkeep.
Measures to ensure the longevity and sustainability of these roads include elevating road embankments above flood levels, constructing protective walls and stone pitching to prevent erosion, installing sufficient cross drainage systems to manage floodwater effectively, replacing submerged bridges with elevated structures, and providing necessary catch water drains and breast walls on hillside roads, among others.
"The scheme is set for implementation over five years, from 2025-26 to 2029-30, with an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore. The Cabinet has approved projects targeting nearly 500 km to be initiated during this period," the state government remarked.
Additionally, the Cabinet endorsed the new initiative Constituency wise Allocation (CWA), which seeks to construct and enhance rural development roads across 142 Assembly constituencies. This initiative aims to address portions of roads needing improvement for various reasons.
"This scheme will be executed over three years, from 2024-25 to 2026-27, with a budget of Rs 426 crore. Given that the financial year 2024-25 has concluded, funds for two years will be allocated in 2025-26 to ensure timely completion of the projects," the state government noted.
During the meeting on Wednesday, the Odisha Cabinet also approved numerous other crucial proposals from various departments.