₹30,000 crore rural infrastructure boost: Odisha to build 50,000 km roads ahead of polls
The Odisha government has approved a ₹30,000 crore infrastructure package to construct 50,000 km of rural roads and over 3,800 bridges. This initiative, launched under the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana, aims to improve last-mile connectivity in remote and difficult terrains ahead of upcoming local body elections.
Why it matters
This massive infrastructure investment serves as a critical test for the ruling BJP's governance strategy in Odisha while significantly impacting rural accessibility and economic development in the state.
In one of the largest state-level rural connectivity pushes ahead of the upcoming local body elections, the Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi , on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) approved projects worth nearly ₹30,000 crore. The ambitious package includes the development of around 50,000 km of rural roads and the construction of about 3,837 bridges and bridge-like structures.
The Cabinet cleared a series of proposals under the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana (MMSY), aimed at strengthening last-mile connectivity across the state.
Under MMSY — Connecting Missing Road Links (CMRL), the government approved ₹1,917 crore for five years (2025–26 to 2029–30) to bridge critical connectivity gaps across blocks, districts, and neighbouring states. The scheme targets the construction of approximately 3,850 km of roads.
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