The Orissa Works Department (OWD) had conducted a Strategic Option Study in 1995-1997 for the improvement of State Roads, which identified 2347 km out of 4600 km of State Highways and Major District Roads based on traffic volume, carriageway width, and pavement condition.

The Government of Orissa contracted a Project Coordinating Consultant (PCC) for feasibility study of 2347 km to identify 700 km in two phases for techno-economic Appraisal with detailed project preparation to meet World Bank norms. The PCC had Completed detailed Engineering design for widening and strengthening including social and environmental aspects for a length of 198 km, which was declared National Highway (NH-224). From the result of techno-economic studies, 1200 km were Prioritized for a four-year periodic maintenance programme but the project was not Implemented due to poor fiscal situation of the State at that time. However, Government of Orissa has taken up the improvement 700 Km Under its various schemes. The Orissa Works Department (OWD) intends to upgrade and widen its vital arterial State roads to 2-lanes to accelerate the economic growth of the State immense Potential in mining, industry, tourism and port. Due to large investment required, the State has planned to avail a loan from World Bank for developing about 825 km of Roads under Phase-I limiting to the loan amount of US $250million spread over 5 Years.

M/S CEG Limited has been engaged for providing the Consultancy services for preparation of the Detail Project Report for 825 km of roads under Phase-I. This Project also includes network analysis of 3700 km State Highways based on techno economic Approach to arrive at selection of 1600 km for feasibility studies for Subsequent Phases. The Consultancy services were commenced from 6th December 2005 and completed in Jan, 2008.

The Project Roads are located in the State of Orissa . The Project Road is spread in 14 districts and forms and important link for movement of people and commerce. The Project Road is divided into five corridors and has a total length of 832 km. The list of the Project Road Corridors is given below in Table 1.1 along with the road designation and total length in km. The Project Roads consist of existing state highways and MDR.