84th Indian Road Congress inaugurated; Rs 1,000 crore announced for Odisha from Central Road Infrastructure Fund
Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): The 84th Indian Road Congress was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari.
On this occasion, the Union Minister announced Rs 1,000 crore from the Central Road Infrastructure Fund for Odisha. He also stated that, globally, waste materials are now being used in road construction, and advised that Bhubaneswar’s solid waste be used similarly to help build a cleaner and greener city.
Addressing the delegates, Gadkari said that the Indian Road Congress is the soul of Indian road engineering. The Congress serves as a knowledge platform for road infrastructure development, research, engineering, and innovation.
He added that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, India has made great progress in road construction, significantly reducing travel time. Soon, India will have one of the largest road networks in the world. A provision of Rs 2.87 lakh crore has been made for the construction of high-quality roads across the country.
He further emphasized the use of advanced technology and world-class DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) for quality road development. He called for the sharing of best practices, research, and innovation to strengthen India’s construction systems. Highlighting the future of fuel, he said, “Hydrogen is our future energy,” and stressed the importance of producing green hydrogen in the country. He also underlined the need to enhance road safety in all road projects.
In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that since 2014, when the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi assumed office, the country has witnessed rapid growth in the road construction sector. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the efficient leadership of Minister Gadkari, India has undergone a massive transformation in building world-class roads.
He mentioned that while from independence till 2014, India built 91,000 km of national highways, in just the ten years from 2014 to 2024, 55,000 km of national highways have been constructed. This achievement, he said, is due to Shri Gadkari’s vision and efficiency.
The Chief Minister further said that the Odisha government is committed to building a prosperous Odisha by 2036, strengthening the state’s economy through the development of ports, roads, railways, and air connectivity. The state has introduced the Odisha State Road Policy–2025 and the Odisha State Highways Authority Act–2025. A Comprehensive Infrastructure Master Plan is also being prepared for the state’s development.
He added that for FY 2025–26, the Central Government has sanctioned Rs 13,069 crore worth of national highway projects in Odisha. The Union Minister has already launched 19 road projects worth Rs 4,000 crore and approved another 13 projects worth Rs 9,000 crore earlier.
The Chief Minister announced that the state government aims to construct 75,000 km of roads within five years, with a focus on ensuring world-class standards. He said that the continued cooperation of the Union Minister will further accelerate Odisha’s development.
Minister of Works, Law, and Excise, Prithviraj Harichandan, said that the Indian Road Congress has played a crucial role in the development of national highways across the country. Hosting such a prestigious event in Odisha is a matter of pride. The ideas and resolutions emerging from this Congress will help strengthen India’s road construction sector.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasized the need to maintain quality standards and adopt global perspectives in road construction. He said that the Indian Road Congress will provide technical support for building better and safer roads.
During the event, individuals who made notable contributions in the fields of road construction, research, and engineering were honoured, and a souvenir publication was unveiled.
