Odisha government renames ‘Biju Setu Yojana’ as ‘Setu Bandhan Yojana’

The Odisha government on Saturday announced to rename the ‘Biju Setu Yojana’ as the ‘Setu Bandhan Yojana’, marking a change in the name of the long-running rural bridge construction programme. The State government has also approved the implementation of the scheme for a fresh five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. A formal notification regarding the renaming and continuation of the scheme has been issued by the Rural Development Department. Originally Introduced In 2011-12 According to available information, the Biju Setu Yojana was originally introduced in 2011-12 with the objective of strengthening connectivity in rural areas. Under the scheme, bridges were constructed in different parts of the State to improve access between villages and facilitate smoother movement of people and vehicles. The programme has primarily focused on areas where the absence of bridges posed difficulties for residents, especially in ensuring all-weather connectivity across rivers, streams and other geographical barriers. With the latest decision, the scheme will continue under the new name ‘Setu Bandhan Yojana’ during the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. Improving Rural Connectivity The Rural Development Department’s notification has formally brought the change into effect while retaining the scheme’s broader objective of improving rural connectivity through bridge infrastructure. The renaming comes as the State government prepares to continue bridge construction and connectivity-related works in rural Odisha under the revised scheme for the next five years.