New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS): The uniion cabinet Wednesday approved plans to upgrade Jharpokharia-Baleshwar section of the National Highway No.5 at a total outlay of Rs.760.73 crore.

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

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

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

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