Ghats Gridlock? Odisha's Berhampur-Jeypore Expressway Battle

The Odisha government's ambitious plan to develop the 287-km Berhampur–Jeypore Expressway (BJEW) into a six-lane greenfield transport corridor is facing major hurdles due to the challenging terrain of the Eastern Ghats.

Part of a ₹9,000 crore infrastructure initiative, the project also includes parallel rail connectivity. However, nearly 230 km of the proposed alignment passes through rugged hilly terrain, necessitating a significant increase in the right of way (RoW) from 80 to 200 meters. This expansion is expected to intensify forest land diversion, complicate land acquisition, and pose substantial engineering challenges.

Experts have raised concerns about the steep gradients—some exceeding 1%—which could hinder rail operations. During a recent review meeting, it was suggested that the RoW be revised to 90 meters to accommodate a dedicated utility corridor. Experts emphasized that the railway component will require detailed design modifications to adapt to the difficult topography.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.