New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received 17 bids for two packages of the proposed 160-km access-controlled greenfield coastal highway between Rameshwar and Paradeep in Odisha.
The 79.4-km four-lane Rameshwar-Konark Package-I has received 10 bids, while the 80.7-km two-lane with paved shoulder Konark-Paradeep Package-II has attracted seven bids.
Both packages are proposed to be awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
The Rameshwar-Paradeep coastal highway was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in June 2026 at a combined capital cost of ₹8,300.79 crore.
During construction, the project is expected to generate 53.6 lakh direct man-days and 67 lakh indirect man-days of employment.
The corridor has been designed for speeds of up to 100 km per hour and is expected to reduce travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by around two hours and 30 minutes.
The highway will also improve connectivity to major tourist destinations, including Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri Beach and Konark Sun Temple.
The Rameshwar-Paradeep corridor will provide an alternative route to NH-16 and NH-316 and improve connectivity to Puri, Konark, Paradeep Port and the upcoming Puri International Airport.
It is also expected to improve access to developing ports at Astarang and Subarnarekha and strengthen road connectivity across Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the existing Puri-Satapada and Puri-Konark stretches have nearly 40 per cent ribbon development along with high local commuter traffic, limiting their suitability for high-speed, long-distance traffic.
The new access-controlled corridor is expected to reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions and vehicle operating costs while lowering logistics costs and improving movement along Odisha’s coastal region.
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