Thiru T.R. Baalu approves road repair works in Orissa
	16:55 IST

The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu has approved road widening works in various stretches of National Highways No. 224 (NH-224) in the state of Orissa at a total cost of Rs. 4956.89 Lakh. The work of widening the existing single/intermediate lane carriageway to two-lane carriageway with strengthening has been approved at four different stretches of NH-224, which starts at Khurda and ends at Bolangir town. Of the above sum, an amount of Rs. 1311.96 lakh has been sanctioned for widening the existing single/intermediate lane carriageway to two-lane carriageway with strengthening from km 257/0 to km 265/0 and an amount of Rs. 1289.57 lakh from km 249/0 to km 257/0 on NH-224. Further on the same Highway, an amount of Rs. 1143.70 lakh has been sanctioned for widening existing single/intermediate lane stretch from km 198/0 to km 205/0 and a sum of Rs. 1211.66 lakh has also been sanctioned from km 191/0 to km 198/0. This stretch serves towards transportation of agricultural product of Nayagarh, Boudh, Sonepur and Bolangir Districts. Morevover, this road is a vital link for the South Western Orissa to the Eastern Part of the State. It also provides link to some tourist and pilgrimages locations. The necessity of widening of the road arises also due to the increase of Traffic in terms of PCUs and simultaneously strengthening is required due to inadequate thickness of existing crust. It is expected that the improvement would help in boosting the economic activities of the region. VBA/BS