Koraput section of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor nears completion

Koraput: With nearly 95% of the work completed, Koraput district is set to become a major connectivity hub on the six-lane, greenfield, access-controlled Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. Executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Odisha stretch of the project is expected to be completed by June if progress continues on schedule, officials said.The corridor will have seven interchanges in Koraput district to strengthen local and regional connectivity. These entry and exit points are planned at Kaliagura and Benasur in Borigumma, Tala in Koraput, Lunguri (near Nalco Chowk) and Kunduli in Semiliguda, and Baraja and Talagolar in Pottangi.“These interchanges will bring even the most remote villages and small towns onto the national highway grid,” said R Venkateswarlu, project director, NHAI, Koraput.A standout feature is Odisha’s first six-lane, twin-cell highway tunnel. Extending 3.42 km through the rugged terrain of Eastern Ghats, the tunnel is equipped with jet fans, advanced firefighting systems and control centres at both ends to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of traffic.“Every element of the tunnel has been planned with safety and efficiency in mind. It enables faster travel while fully addressing the challenges posed by the landscape,” Venkateswarlu said.

Another important segment lies between Kandili and Tumbigura, built through dense forest terrain. This stretch includes viaducts, major and minor bridges, wildlife crossings, monkey canopies and noise barriers to ensure smooth traffic flow while safeguarding sensitive ecosystems. “Our approach is to combine world-class infrastructure with environmental care,” he added.Once completed, the corridor will shorten the present 594-km journey between Raipur and Visakhapatnam by nearly 70 km and reduce travel time from around 14 hours to just 5-6 hours.“This project will transform trade, tourism and daily travel in the region, while also improving access to healthcare and education,” said Koraput collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan.The 465-km corridor connects Abhanpur near Raipur with Sabbavaram near Visakhapatnam at an estimated cost of about Rs 16,000 crore. The highway passes through Raipur, Dhamtari and Kanker in Chhattisgarh; Nabarangpur and Koraput in Odisha; and Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.“Designed for speeds of up to 100 kmph on plains and 80 kmph in hilly sections, it cuts across the Eastern Ghats to significantly improve travel and freight movement across eastern India,” said Venkateswarlu.