TNI Bureau: Odisha’s new Rameshwar–Paradeep Coastal Highway is set to boost tourism, pilgrimage and connectivity along the state’s coastline. The 160.18-km corridor will be developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) at a cost of ₹8,300.79 crore. The highway will pass through Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts, connecting major cultural, religious and economic destinations.

The project includes a four-lane access-controlled highway from Rameshwar to Konark and a two-lane highway with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradeep. Designed for a speed of 100 km per hour, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by nearly two and a half hours.

The highway will improve access to major religious sites, including the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Konark Sun Temple and Ramchandi Temple, making travel easier for devotees and tourists. It is also expected to strengthen Odisha’s position as a major destination for spiritual and cultural tourism.

In addition, the corridor will connect key coastal attractions and support beach tourism, eco-tourism and nature-based travel. Improved access to biodiversity-rich areas, including the famous Gahirmatha turtle nesting site, is expected to attract more visitors while promoting responsible tourism.

The project is also expected to generate economic opportunities for local communities by encouraging the growth of hotels, homestays, restaurants, handicraft markets and other tourism-related businesses. Under the PM GatiShakti initiative, the highway will connect nine economic nodes and five logistics nodes, while improving access to important hubs such as Paradip Port, Puri Railway Station and the proposed Puri Airport.