In Odisha, the State government would build 200 more bridges in the state at a cost of Rs 700 crore in this current fiscal. The government on July 20 announced that the bridges would be built under the Biju Setu Yojana. The State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, at meeting decided that the bridges would be built on 111 rural development and 82 panchayat roads. The tender process would be completed by October.

The State government launched the Biju Setu Yojana in 2011 with an aim of improving rural connectivity. The state has set a target of constructing 400 bridges under the scheme at an expenditure of Rs 1,400 crore, for which a budgetary provision has already been made available. So far, 57 bridges have been completed under the scheme while 180 are under construction.

In a release it is said that the chief minister instructed to expedite the construction works and fix a deadline for completion of all the projects.