Widening SH5 (Chhattisgarh) and SH52 (Odisha) may further reduce distance between Raipur and Gopalpur, it might also give slight advantage for Raipur-Visakhapatnam route

Major roads in Odisha is SH52, NH201, SH6, SH46, SH17

Major roads in Odisha is NH217, SH16, SH6, SH46, SH17

Major roads in Odisha is NH217

Major roads in Odisha is SH52, SH45, SH16, SH6, SH46, SH17 (extending SH45 from Kalyansingpur to Junagarh)

OUR EARLIER EMAIL TO KAMAL NATH (cc to CM of Odisha) Dated on May 27, 2010

Dear Mr Nath,

I find the following difference while analysing the road distance between Raipur and Gopalpur as well as Raipur and Visakhapatnam using satellite google map.

Gopalpur-Raipur (via Rajim, Gariaband, Dharamgarh, Junagarh, Mohana, Digapahandi): 565 km

Gopalpur-Raipur (via NH217): 586 km

Raipur – Visakhapatnam (via Rajim, Gariband, Dharamgarh, Moter, NH201 & NH43): 588 km

Raipur – Visakhapatnam (via NH43, Umarkote, Nabarangpur): 603 km

Raipur – Visakhapatnam (via Jagdalpur, NH43): 590 km

In this circumstance I find the approprite Highway (NH217) route for Gopalpur-Raipur route should have been:
Raipur – Rajim-Gariaband-Dharamgarh – Junagarh – Karlapat –Kalyansingpur – Jaykaypur – Mohana – Digapahandi-Berhmapur-Gopalpur

This would have not only reduced the distance but also linked most of the aluminum plants coming in South Western Orissa such as in Lanjigarh, Rayagada with Gopalpur ports. This route also passes through backward pockets of Raipur, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Gajapati disitricts, all of them have maoist influence & Rayagada and Gajapati are strong maoists base in Orissa, bringing development in the region.

Developing Raipur - Dharamgarh - Junagarh (Kalahandi) route will also reduce the distance beteen Visakhapatnam and Raipur via NH201giving an alternative short route benefiting Orissa largely.

I hope you will look into this matter to develop Rajim (Chhattisgarh)- Jaykaypur (Orissa) via Gariaband, Dharamgarh, Junagarh, Karlapat, Kalyansingpur as an alternative Highway such as NH217A to connect with proposed Vijayawada-Ranchi highways which will further reduce the distance from Raipur to Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam ports, as well as bring development in backward prockets.

Thank you and best regards

Digambara Patra