Odisha road network data base developed, 94% of villages connected with roads

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Bhubaneswar:   In a major
step towards development of road infrastructure in the State, Odisha Government
has developed Odisha Road Network Data Base on the basis of GIS mapping,
traffic survey, socio-economic data and field level road inventory collected
both form primary and secondary sources.
The technical consultant Arckitechno engaged for the
purpose, made a detail presentation of the data base acquired through a
scientific study in a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief
Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra in secretariat wherein Works Secretary N.K.
Pradhan outlined the issues for discussion.
 Reviewing the data
outcomes of the study, Chief Secretary has directed Works department to develop
a comprehensive data base of the road network and institutionalize integrated
mechanism for its regular updating. He has also directed the department to
design a strategic corridor development plan taking in to consideration the
traffic the requirement of upcoming industrial estates, production clusters and
ports.
The Rural Development (RD) department has been advised to
prepare the village connectivity plan on the basis of the data base, besides
asking the department to take up those villages not included in PMGSY. 
The study revealed that out of 51,865 census villages around
94% of the villages have been connected with some or other type of roads.
Around 2% of the roads have track road connectivity and around connectivity to
around 4% villages are in process.
The Chief Secretary has directed RD department to prioritize
the village on the basis of population and strategic location and accomplish
100% connectivity within definite time frame.
In the existing road network it is seen that at present
Odisha has around 3,594 kms of National Highways (NH), 5,125 kms of State
Highways (SH), 2,805 kms of Major District Roads ( MDR), 8,590 Kms of Other
District Roads ( ODR), 18,591 kms of Urban Roads, 28,159 kms of Rural Roads,
25,703 Kms of Panchayat Samiti Roads, 145,368 kms of Gram Panchayat roads,
7,518 kms of Forest Roads, 6,277 Kms of Irrigation Roads and 88 kms of GRIDCO
roads.
The Chief Secretary has advised to reclassify the road
categories in to three broad categories like A,B, C for better development and
maintenance. The roads from state headquarters to district headquarters, port
roads, interstate roads, roads connecting to tourist places and places of
international importance, roads connecting towns with more than 5,000
population have been suggested to be classified as “A” category. Similarly, the
roads from district to block headquarters, domestic tourist places and
agricultural market centers have been suggested to be classified under “B”
category. The roads block to GP head quarters, mines, power plants etc have
been suggested to be classified under “C” category. The Chief Secretary directed
the department to follow scientific criteria in classification of roads and to
complete the task within three to four months.

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