The cabinet committee on infrastructure (CCI) approved the construction of four new highways on Thursday. This will improve the connectivity among the existing highways in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Odisha. While welcoming the CCI nod for the highways, road transport and highways minister CP Joshi said it will help ease congestion on the adjoining highways in the three states.

First highway will be constructed in Orissa from Chandikhole-Darbari-Talcher. The total cost of this project  is Rs 1,243 crore. The concession period of this project will be 24 years, including the 30 months of the construction period. Concession period is a fixed time during which concessionaire will charge the toll tax, according to the agreements signed between ministry of highways and the concessionaire. Total length of this project will be 132.5 km.

Second highway of four lanes will be constructed from Gomati Chauraha to Udaipur in Rajasthan. Total cost of this project is Rs 914.5 crore and concession period is 27 years, including 30 months of construction period for this highway. The total length of this project is 79.31 km.

Third highway will be constructed from Vikkravandi to Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. Total cost of this project is Rs 1,090 crore and the total length of this project is 164.22 km. The concession period for this highway is 27 years, including 30 months of the construction period.

Fourth highway will be constructed from Madurai to Ramanathapuram. Total project cost of this highway is Rs 683 crore and the total length of this project is 115.11 km. The concession period for this highway will be 30 years.