Odisha's New Coastal Highway: Gateway to Spiritual Journeys and Coastal Tourism
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced the development of the Rameswar-Paradeep Coastal Highway in Odisha, a 160.18 km corridor aimed at transforming connectivity, boosting spiritual tourism, and driving economic growth along the state's coastline.
Background
Odisha's coastal region has rich cultural and religious heritage but lacked seamless connectivity. The highway is part of the government's focus on infrastructure-led development under PM Gati Shakti principles.
Key facts
Total length: 160.18 km; total cost: ₹8,300.79 crore.
Passes through Khurda, Puri, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur districts.
Includes a 4-lane access-controlled highway from Rameswar to Konark and a 2-lane highway with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradeep.
Design speed: 100 km/h; expected to reduce travel time between Rameswar and Paradeep by about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Connects key spiritual sites: Jagannath Temple (Puri), Konark Sun Temple, and Ramachandi Temple.
Will connect 9 economic nodes and 5 logistics hubs under PM Gati Shakti.
Improves access to Paradeep Port, Puri Railway Station, Puri Airport, and other regional economic centers.
Expected to boost coastal tourism, eco-tourism, and wildlife tourism including access to Gahirmatha turtle nesting sites.
Will generate opportunities for hotels, homestays, restaurants, and handicraft markets along the corridor.
Prelims pointers
- Rameswar-Paradeep Coastal Highway
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- PM Gati Shakti principles
- Odisha districts: Khurda, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur
- Jagannath Temple (Puri), Konark Sun Temple, Ramachandi Temple
- Gahirmatha turtle nesting site
- Paradeep Port
Mains angles
- Infrastructure development and its role in promoting tourism and economic growth.
- Integration of cultural heritage preservation with modern infrastructure projects.
- Sustainable tourism and ecological conservation along coastal corridors.