Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the 84th annual session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital city, today and announced an additional Rs 1,000 crore road development package for the coastal state.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, PWD Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, IRC President Prof. Manoranjan Parida, and senior officials were also present at the event.
Speaking to the media, Union Minister Gadkari stated that the sanctioned funds will be provided directly to the state government. He noted that while several road projects in Odisha have already been approved, this extra Rs 1,000 crore has been specifically allocated for further development.
Gadkari said that three previously approved road packages are being expedited, and the Gopalpur–Puri coastal road project, which faced delays due to environmental clearances, will soon resume after necessary modifications.
Gadkari further stated that he has green signal to five new national highway proposals submitted by Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, assuring the Centre’s full cooperation in developing high-quality, low-maintenance roads for the state.
Gadkari highlighted significant reforms in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) process, stating the old system—which often favoured the lowest bidders at the expense of quality—has been corrected. “Now we have corrected the system—only quality DPRs will be approved, ensuring better and more durable infrastructure,” he emphasized.
Addressing the delegates at the IRC session, the Union Minister highlighted that India is transitioning from a fuel-importing to a fuel-exporting nation, driven by the growing production and use of ethanol, methanol, bio-LNG, CNG, and green hydrogen.
He emphasized the government’s strong commitment to road safety, focusing on advanced engineering standards, intelligent transport systems, and awareness initiatives to ensure safer and more efficient mobility.
📍𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐫 | Addressing 84th Annual Session of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) https://t.co/tz5rv1LbN4
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) November 7, 2025
Underscoring the crucial role of road engineers, the Union minister said their precision and innovation are key to preparing accurate DPRs and developing hassle-free, safety-assured highways.
He also noted that the use of bio-bitumen and recycled plastic waste in highway construction is enhancing durability, sustainability, and cost efficiency, while supporting the nation’s eco-friendly infrastructure goals.
Reiterating the government’s vision, Nitin Gadkari stated that the mission is to build world-class infrastructure rooted in innovation and sustainable mobility solutions. This transformative approach, he added, will generate extensive employment opportunities, strengthen the infra-skill ecosystem, and steer India towards a self-reliant and resilient future.
