Odisha’s first three-lane bridge is now a lifeline for Cuttack-Bhubaneswar twin city; know its history

Inaugurated on 19 July 2017, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Setu has become a pivotal infrastructure element, drastically reshaping the urban fabric between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

Initially hailed as Odisha’s longest bridge at 2.88 km, it held this distinction until the opening of the T-Setu in Ganjam. Despite losing that title, the bridge remains unmatched in its strategic and economic impact.

Named after freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who was born in Cuttack, the bridge spans the Kathajodi River and connects Belleview Point near the Odisha Judicial Academy in Cuttack to Trisulia.

Constructed over six years at a cost of nearly Rs 114 crore, it is Odisha’s first three-lane bridge and the first in the state to incorporate solar-powered LED lighting throughout its length. The illumination project, completed in 2018, added 494 LED lights and 247 posts, enhancing safety and aesthetics.

Economic and spatial transformation of the Trisulia corridor

Notably, the bridge has significantly altered the economic and spatial dynamics of the region. Trisulia, once a quiet and underdeveloped stretch on the city periphery, has seen exponential growth.

Land prices have soared, commercial activity has spiked, and the area now hosts a growing array of residential and institutional developments.

This connectivity has effectively bridged the gap between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, turning them into a de facto continuous urban corridor.

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The travel distance between the cities has been reduced by approximately 15 km, and traffic congestion on National Highway 16 has notably eased. It is also worth mentioning that the bridge completely reshaped the twin city with an exponential growth of regions like Ragunathpur, Patia, and Barang.

A bridge of hope and future resilience

Besides its immediate utility, Netaji Setu enhanced access to outlying districts and supported smoother traffic flows towards western Odisha. With another bridge over the Mahanadi connecting Cuttack with Dhabaleswar, the route now acts as a ring road network linking interior areas like Sambalpur and coastal Odisha more efficiently.

The Netaji Setu is also future-proofed. The installation of high-mast lights at approach points and CCTV-friendly lamp posts ensures adaptability for further technological integrations, like smart surveillance.

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More than just a bridge, Netaji Setu represents Odisha's stride towards modernity, urban cohesion and regional pride, making it not just a path between cities, but a statement of aspiration and progress.