Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2106, answered on February 12, 2026, inquired about the inclusion of Biju Expressway in the NHAI network. Shri Pradeep Purohit asked the Minister of Road Transport and Highways whether the government is aware that National Highway-130CD (Visakhapatnam–Raipur) and National Highway-53 (Kolkata–Mumbai via Sambalpur and Nagpur) intersect with and connect to the Biju Expressway in Odisha and whether the government is aware that the Biju Expressway serves as a critical strategic and economic link for Western Odisha. He further inquired whether the government proposes to include Biju Expressway under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) network, and if so, to provide details of the proposal, timeline for inclusion, upgradation, and funding pattern. If not, he asked for the reasons and steps being taken to upgrade and maintain this corridor. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, responded that the Ministry undertakes Feasibility Study/Detailed Project Report (DPR) for improvement/widening/construction of National Highways/Expressways including the State of Odisha, and that the decision for project implementation and investment is based on the outcome of DPR, requirement of connectivity, traffic density and synergy with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. He stated that the Biju Expressway is constructed by the State Government of Odisha and there is no proposal to include Biju Expressway under the network of National Highways as of now.
Key Entities Referenced
Biju Expressway: Expressway in Western Odisha proposed for inclusion in the NHAI network.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): Agency responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways in India; inclusion of Biju Expressway in its network is the subject of the query.
National Highway-130CD (Visakhapatnam–Raipur): A major national corridor intersecting with the Biju Expressway.
National Highway-53 (Kolkata–Mumbai via Sambalpur and Nagpur): A major national corridor intersecting with the Biju Expressway.
Odisha: State where the Biju Expressway is located; the state government constructed the expressway.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2106
ANSWERED ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026
INCLUSION OF BIJU EXPRESSWAY IN NHAI NETWORK
2106. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that National Highway-130CD
(Visakhapatnam–Raipur) and National Highway-53 (Kolkata–Mumbai via
Sambalpur and Nagpur) are major national corridors and both intersect with
connect to the Biju Expressway at Block Sohela under Bargarh district of
Odisha;
(b) whether the Government is further aware that Biju Expressway serves as a
critical strategic and economic link for Western Odisha, connecting multiple
districts and facilitating interstate trade, tourism, defence mobility and
industrial development;
(c) whether the Government proposes to include Biju Expressway under the
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) network, in view of its strategic
connectivity with NH-130CD and NH-53;
(d) if so, the details of the proposal, timeline for inclusion, upgradation and
funding pattern thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps being taken to upgrade and
maintain this important corridor in public interest?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (e) Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways undertakes
Feasibility Study/Detailed Project Report (DPR) for
improvement/widening/construction of National Highways/Expressways in the
country including the State of Odisha. Decision for project implementation and
investment is taken based on the outcome of DPR, requirement of
connectivity, traffic density and synergy with PM Gati Shakti National Master
Plan. Biju Expressway is constructed by the State Government of Odisha and
there is no proposal to include Biju Expressway under the network of National
Highways as of now.
*****