Transport in Odisha

Odisha has a well-established network of various modes of transport, which plays a crucial role in supporting both tourism and local mobility. The state’s transport system primarily consists of road, rail, air, and water transport. The following sections provide an extensive overview of each mode.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Gain an understanding of the diverse transportation modes in Odisha.
2. Learn the classification and infrastructure of roadways, railways, airways, and waterways in the state.
3. Recognize the key government initiatives and projects enhancing transport systems in Odisha.

Transportation in Odisha

Odisha’s transportation system can be broadly classified into the following categories:

1. Road Transport
2. Rail Transport
3. Air Transport
4. Water Transport

Road Transport

Odisha has an extensive road network spanning a total length of 2,56,401.02 km, with a road density of 165 km per 100 sq. km (2016-17). Road transport forms a vital component of the state’s infrastructure and is subdivided into various types:

National Highways

1. Connects Major Cities: Links cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Koraput, and Berhampur to other parts of India.
2. Total Length: Odisha has 4,837 km of National Highways.
3. Longest Highway: NH 326 New with a length of 513.7 km.
4. Shortest Highway: NH 130 C New, measuring 20 km.

Note: Some highways have been renamed; for example, NH 5 & 60 is now NH 16.

Expressways

1. Biju Expressway: A 650 km expressway connecting Chanditi in Koraput to Rourkela, passing through Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Sundergarh.
2. Golden Quadrilateral: A national project connecting metropolitan cities; covers 440 km within Odisha, linking Kolkata to Chennai.

State Highways

1. Connects Key Areas: Links cities, towns, and district headquarters to National Highways.
2. Managed by: The Works Department of the Odisha Government.
3. Total Length: 4,100.63 km, consisting of 31 state highways.

Urban Roads

1. Located within Urban Areas: Classified as roads within built-up areas connecting cities.
2. Total Length: 18,590.69 km.

District Roads

1. Connection: Links district headquarters to main town centers and state highways.
2. Specifications: Lower design standards than National and State Highways.
3. Total Length: 16,270.92 km.

Rural Roads

1. Vital for Rural Connectivity: Links rural areas and is maintained by the Rural Development Department.
2. Total Length: 36,128.34 km.

Important Note: The Works Department of Odisha is responsible for road network development, including bridges and drainage works. The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) manages public bus services.

Key Road Transport Schemes

1. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF): Established by the Indian Government in 1995-96, providing loans for rural infrastructure projects.
2. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Launched in 2000, aimed at connecting rural areas. Odisha has constructed 43,222 km of roads under this scheme by 2017.
3. State Highways Development Programme (SHDP): Initiated in 2013-14, this scheme upgraded 1,213 km of roads to two-lane standards by 2016-17.
4. Biju Gaon Gadi Yojana (BGGY): Launched in 2014 to enhance rural transport connectivity in three phases covering 30 districts.

Rail Transport

Odisha’s rail network serves as a crucial infrastructure for industrial and socio-economic growth.

1. First Train: Introduced in Odisha on July 20, 1896, running from Khordha to Bhubaneswar.
2. Current Network: Spans 2,606.27 km, passing through 24 districts. It is the country’s largest carrier of freight and passenger traffic.
3. Key Lines:

• Nirgundi to Talcher-Angul
• Khurda to Puri
• Koraput-Rayagada line connects bauxite deposits to NALCO.

1. Zonal Railways:

• East Coast Railway: Established in 2003, headquartered in Bhubaneswar, covers parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
• South Eastern Railways: Formed in 1955, serving Paradip Port and NALCO.

Government Initiatives: Odisha government signed an agreement for the Mass Rapid Transit System in 2014, covering the 30 km distance between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. New corridors were also proposed for seamless freight movement between ports and northern/central hinterlands.

Air Transport

Managed by the Directorate of Civil Aviation, Odisha’s air transport infrastructure includes:

1. Airstrips: 19 airstrips across 15 districts, with 12 owned by the state.
2. Biju Patnaik Airport: Declared an international airport in Bhubaneswar, serving as the key domestic and international hub.
3. Upgraded Airstrips: Rayagada, Paradip, Dhamra, Angul, and Kalinganagar have been upgraded to support intra-state civil aviation.
4. Notable Airports:

• Biju Patnaik International Airport: Bhubaneswar
• Veer Surendra Sai Airport: Jharsuguda
• Barbil Tonto Aerodrome: Barbil

Water Transport

As a coastal state, Odisha has a well-developed water transport system, consisting of inland waterways and coastal shipping.

Inland Waterways

1. National Waterways: Odisha benefits from 6 National Waterways as per the 2016 Act.
2. Major Waterways:

• NW 5: 623 km, covering Brahmani, Kharsua, Mahanadi delta, and others.
• NW 64: 425 km, over the Mahanadi River.

Coastal Shipping

1. Coastline: Odisha has a 476 km coastline along the Bay of Bengal.
2. Major Ports:

• Paradip Port: The only major port, with an 80 million tonnes handling capacity.
• Gopalpur Port: A natural deep-sea port managed by the TATA group.
• Dhamra Port: Developed by the Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL); acquired by the Adani Group in 2014.

Important Note: Paradip Port Trust (PPT) administers Paradip port, a significant trading hub, owned by the Indian Government.

Comprehensive Comparison Table: Major Transport Modes in Odisha

MCQ: Which port in Odisha was taken over by the Adani Group in 2014?

1. Gopalpur Port
2. Dhamra Port
3. Paradip Port
4. Chandipur Port
   Correct Answer: 2. Dhamra Port