Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: The ambitious Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor is expected to transform road connectivity across Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, opening up new opportunities for trade, tourism and regional development.
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The Rs 20,000-crore project involves the construction of a 464-km, six-lane highway, of which approximately 240 km passes through Odisha. The corridor will traverse Koraput and Nabarangpur districts, improving access to markets and essential services for people living in southern Odisha.
According to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Project Director Prakash Kumar, the Odisha stretch is targeted for completion by December, as stated in the report.
The project is expected to strengthen links between the three states, reduce travel time and improve the movement of goods and passengers.
Travel Time Between Raipur and Visakhapatnam May Be Halved
One of the major anticipated benefits of the economic corridor is a significant reduction in travel time between Raipur and Visakhapatnam.
Once the entire route becomes operational, the journey, which currently takes approximately 12 to 14 hours, is expected to be reduced to around six to seven hours.
The improved road network could facilitate faster transportation of agricultural produce, raw materials and other goods, helping farmers, traders and local entrepreneurs reach markets across state boundaries more efficiently.
Better connectivity is also expected to support employment opportunities and encourage tourism in the region.
Twin Tunnels Emerge as Key Features in Koraput
The twin tunnels near Sunkhi Ghat in Koraput district are among the project’s prominent engineering features. Constructed through challenging hilly terrain at an elevation of around 3,000 feet, the tunnels have been named the Shabara Srikhetra Tunnel and the Koraput Tunnel.
The structures are designed to improve movement through the mountainous stretch, where difficult terrain can otherwise increase travel time and pose challenges for motorists.
Safety measures are also being incorporated into the project, including rock anchoring and slope stabilisation to minimise the risk of rockfalls.
Wildlife-friendly infrastructure, such as monkey canopies and underpasses, is being developed to facilitate animal movement and reduce the risk of wildlife entering the highway.
Advanced Safety Systems Planned Inside Tunnels
According to Jagannath, Safety Manager at Margdarshi Infra, several measures have been incorporated to improve passenger safety inside the tunnels.
These include CCTV cameras installed at intervals of approximately 100 metres, emergency vehicle cross-passages with a clearance of 5.5 metres, and lighting systems that automatically adjust to surrounding light conditions.
The lighting arrangement is intended to reduce the sudden change in visibility experienced by motorists when entering or exiting a tunnel, commonly known as the black-hole effect.
Air quality is also being monitored as part of the safety arrangements.
Improved Access to Healthcare and Essential Services
The economic corridor is expected to bring significant benefits to residents of southern Odisha, particularly those in remote and hilly areas of Koraput and neighbouring districts.
Improved road access could make it easier for people to reach hospitals, educational institutions and employment centres in larger towns and cities.
Local residents have reported improvements in connectivity along developed sections of the route. Rishikesh Behera said travelling to better healthcare facilities had become easier, while Pitambar Pujari noted that journeys that previously took four to five hours could now be completed in around one to two hours on certain stretches.
These accounts highlight the potential benefits of improved road infrastructure, although travel times will vary depending on the starting point, destination and operational status of individual sections.
Boost Expected for Local Businesses and Tourism
Beyond transportation, the corridor is expected to create fresh opportunities for local businesses, artisans and tourism-related enterprises.
Farmers could benefit from faster access to markets, while improved connectivity may help local products reach customers in neighbouring states. The highway could also make tourist destinations in southern Odisha more accessible to visitors.
The project’s overall impact will depend on the timely completion of the remaining work, the operational readiness of individual stretches and the extent to which local communities and businesses can take advantage of the improved infrastructure.
With around 240 km of the corridor passing through Odisha, the project represents a major investment in the state’s road network and could play an important role in strengthening economic links across eastern and central India.
