Keonjhar, Apr 14 (BNP): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday laid the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth around ₹1,900 crore in Keonjhar district, including the long-awaited Barbil Bypass-cum-Ring Road project aimed at easing heavy traffic congestion in the mining belt.
The ₹1,581.21 crore bypass project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in the mineral-rich Barbil region, one of Odisha’s busiest freight corridors.
During his visit, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 24 completed projects worth ₹29.41 crore and laid the foundation for 51 new projects valued at ₹326.43 crore.
The proposed 18.3-km bypass-cum-ring road will have the capacity to handle around 40,000 passenger car units (PCUs) daily, compared to the current traffic volume of nearly 15,375 vehicles per day.
Officials said the project is designed to reduce congestion caused by heavy mining vehicles, cut travel time, lower transportation costs, and improve overall logistics efficiency in the region.
Majhi said the upgraded road network would help resolve long-standing traffic bottlenecks and support economic growth in Keonjhar and surrounding areas.
