Odisha Assembly passes State Highways Authority Bill, 2025
The Odisha Legislative Assembly passed the Odisha State Highways Authority Bill, 2025 early on 3 April 2025, enabling an autonomous body for the planning, development, maintenance and management of highways and major roads in the state.
Summary
The Odisha Legislative Assembly passed the Odisha State Highways Authority Bill, 2025 early on 3 April 2025, after an overnight sitting in which it also passed the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill, tabled by Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, enables the government to set up an autonomous authority for the planning, development, maintenance and management of highways and major roads in the state. The minister said the government plans a 75,000-km world-class road network and needs a fast-track approach for land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, environment and forest clearances and utility shifting. The budget session of the Assembly was adjourned sine die the same morning.
Key facts
- Passed
- Early 3 April 2025, Odisha Legislative Assembly
- Bill
- Odisha State Highways Authority Bill, 2025
- Tabled by
- Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan
- Purpose
- Autonomous body for planning, development, maintenance and management of highways and major roads
- Target
- 75,000 km of world-class roads
- Same sitting
- Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2024 also passed; session adjourned sine die
Practice MCQs 3 questions
While piloting the Odisha State Highways Authority Bill, 2025, passed on 3 April 2025, the state government said it plans a world-class road network of:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 75,000 km
The New Indian Express and The Hindu: the government has envisaged developing 75,000 km of world-class roads in the state.
Which Odisha minister tabled the Odisha State Highways Authority Bill, 2025, passed by the Assembly on 3 April 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Prithiviraj Harichandan
The New Indian Express and The Hans India (PTI): Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan introduced the Bill in the wee hours of 3 April after the debate on the Universities (Amendment) Bill.
Consider the following about the Odisha Assembly sitting that ended on the morning of 3 April 2025: 1. It passed the Odisha State Highways Authority Bill, 2025. 2. It passed the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2024. 3. The budget session was adjourned sine die after the Bills were passed. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
The New Indian Express and The Hindu: after an overnight debate the House passed both Bills on 3 April, and the budget session was adjourned sine die that morning. All three are correct.