Berhampur: Aska, a major town in Ganjam district, is all set to get an infrastructure boost, as the central govt has sanctioned three major road projects with an estimated cost of around Rs 290 crore.Ministry of road transport and highways has sanctioned a bypass road connecting National Highways (NH)-157 and 59 with an estimated cost of Rs 159.5 crore and construction of high-level bridges over rivers Rushikulya and Badanadi — flowing on either side of the town — as well as Tipisara nullah that flows through the middle, with an estimated cost of Rs 126.5 crore.The works department of the state govt accorded the administrative approval of the bridge projects on Wednesday, sources said.The central govt has also sanctioned Rs 66.35 lakh for preparation of a feasibility and detailed project report (DPR) for construction of a four-lane green road from Berhampur to Aska. The estimated cost of the 33-km-long road will be known only after preparation of the DPR, said an engineer of the works department.The 6.72-km-long bypass road will be developed as two lanes with two flyovers and one underpass, which will pass without touching Aska town. Out of total cost, Rs 37.43 crore has been allotted for land acquisition, sources said.The three bridges, which will connect NH-157 and NH-59, will be constructed under Setu Bandhan scheme under Central Road Infrastructure Fund for 2025-26, sources said.Hailing the sanction of these road and bridge projects, Aska MLA Saroj Padhy said the projects would not only ease the traffic congestion in the town, but also mitigate its flood problem. The four-lane green road from Berhampur to Aska will shorten the distance between the two towns in the district, he said.
