Media Tour to Raipur Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor NH-130CD in Koraput by District Administration.

Report by Nishapati Nayak (Sub-Editor) : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing National Highways across India to provide safe and efficient road infrastructure. As part of this effort, NHAI is developing the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor (NH-130CD), a strategically important route that will improve passenger and freight movement by reducing travel time and transportation costs.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) economic corridors are high-capacity, access-controlled highways designed to improve India’s logistics efficiency, industrial growth, and regional connectivity. The Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor will significantly reduce travel time from about 14 hours to 5–6 hours, enabling faster, safer, and more efficient movement of passengers and goods.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is implementing a key highway corridor project in south-west Odisha to improve regional connectivity, enhance road safety, and support economic and social development in tribal and border districts. In Koraput district, the project covers 116 km and is being executed in four construction packages: OD-5, OD-6, OD-7, and OD-8.

The package-wise details in Koraput District are as follows:
Package OD-5
Project Stretch: Km 249+000 (Kaliagura) to Km 293+000 (Baunsagura)
(Covering Borigumma, Dasmantpur, and Koraput Blocks)
Length: 44.00 km
Bid Project Cost: ₹1492.11 crore
Appointed Date: 30 May 2022
Likely Completion: 30 June 2026
This package involves highway construction through mixed terrain and includes several grade-separated structures to ensure smooth and safe traffic movement. Key features include 2 interchanges, 14 viaducts, 3 vehicular underpasses (VUPs), 3 vehicular overpasses (VOPs), and 11 light vehicular underpasses (LVUPs).
The drainage system comprises 4 major bridges, 14 minor bridges, and 147 box and Hume pipe culverts.
Wildlife protection measures include 1 animal underpass and 8 monkey canopies.

Two wayside amenities are proposed at Lathigura village (Borigumma Block), offering fuel stations, food courts, children’s play areas, toilets, vehicle service stations, and repair facilities.

During the operation period, ambulance services, patrolling vehicles, and cranes will be available to ensure road safety and quick emergency response.


Package OD-6
Project Stretch: Km 293+000 (Baunsagura) to Km 338+500 (Baraja)
(Covering Dasmantpur, Koraput, Semiliguda, and Pottangi Blocks)
Length: 45.50 km
Bid Project Cost: ₹1123.11 crore
Appointed Date: 1 June 2022
Likely Completion: 30 April 2026
This is one of the longest packages of the project in Koraput district. It includes 3 interchanges, 2 viaducts, 1 road over bridge (ROB), 6 vehicular underpasses (VUPs), 5 vehicular overpasses (VOPs), and 15 light vehicular underpasses (LVUPs) to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow.
Drainage infrastructure comprises 5 major bridges, 18 minor bridges, and 170 box and Hume pipe culverts.
Wildlife protection measures include 1 animal underpass and 2 monkey canopies.

Two wayside amenities are proposed at Gadikhamar village in Semiliguda Block, offering fuel stations, food courts, children’s play areas, toilets, vehicle service stations, and repair facilities.
During the operation period, ambulance services, patrolling vehicles, and cranes will be available to support road safety and emergency response.

Package OD-7
Project Stretch: Km 338+500 (Baraja) to Km 342+500 (Kandili)
(Covering Pottangi Block)
Length: 4.00 km
Bid Project Cost: ₹618.10 crore
Appointed Date: 30 September 2022
Status: Completed on 14 September 2025.
This short but critical stretch ensures connectivity and continuity of the corridor and features Odisha’s first six-lane twin-cell highway tunnel, with a length of 3.42 km, constructed to navigate highly challenging terrain.
The tunnel is equipped with six cross passages, jet fans, firefighting systems, and comprehensive tunnel safety systems, all monitored through control centres located at both ends of the tunnel.

During the operation period, ambulance services, patrolling vehicles, and cranes will be available to ensure safety and quick emergency response.

Package OD-8
Project Stretch: Km 342+500 (Kandili) to Km 365+033 (Aluru)
(Covering Pottangi Block)
Length: 22.533 km
Bid Project Cost: ₹1396.09 crore
Appointed Date: 17 October 2022
Likely Completion: 4 May 2026
This package passes through hilly terrain and includes a six-lane twin-cell highway tunnel of 2.93 km, constructed to address challenging topography. The tunnel is equipped with five cross passages, jet fans, firefighting systems, and advanced tunnel safety systems, with control centres provided at both ends.
Major structures under this package include 1 interchange, 10 viaducts, 3 vehicular overpasses (VOPs), and 4 light vehicular underpasses (LVUPs).
Drainage infrastructure comprises 4 major bridges, 12 minor bridges, and 59 box and Hume pipe culverts.
Wildlife protection measures include 5 animal underpasses and 7 monkey canopies.

During the operation period, ambulance services, patrolling vehicles, and cranes will be available to ensure road safety and emergency response.
Overall Project Highlights under Koraput
Total Project Length: 116 km (Packages OD-5, OD-6, OD-7, and OD-8)
Tunnels: 2
Interchanges: 7 (within Koraput District)
Viaducts: 26
Culverts: 376
Animal Underpasses: 7
Monkey Canopies: 17
Wayside Amenities: 4
The project reflects the Government of India’s commitment to safe, sustainable, and inclusive highway development, balancing infrastructure growth with environmental conservation and improved mobility for local communities.