New Delhi, Jan 15: The uniion cabinet Wed approved plans to upgrade Jharpokharia-Baleshwar section of the National highway No.5 at a complete outlay of Rs.760.73 crore.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) at its meeting Wed approved the four-laning of the Jharpokharia-Baripada-Baleshwar section of NH-5 in Odhisa beneath the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) IV.

According to the CCEA, the 80.6 kilometre project will be developed beneath build, operate and transfer (BOT-Annuity) in design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) pattern.

“The project can expedite improvement of infrastructure in Odisha and also reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly serious traffic, plying between Jharpokharia-Baripada-Baleshwar,” the CCEA said in statement.

“This road stretch is intercepted by 2 major National Highways, namely NH-6 (Kolkata-Mumbai route) at the starting point and NH-60 towards Kolkata at the end point.”