Capital region Ring Road Project to begin soon in Odisha: NHAI

Work on the Capital Region Ring Road project is set to begin shortly after receiving all mandatory approvals, including environmental clearance, officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said on Friday.

The 111-km access-controlled corridor is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the Twin City region of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, while also benefiting commuters and residents of Khordha district.

Alignment And Project Scope

The proposed ring road will originate from Rameswar in Khordha district and extend up to Bilipada. Conceived as a greenfield project, the corridor aims to divert through-traffic away from congested urban stretches, particularly reducing pressure on National Highway-16 and key connecting roads in Khordha, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in Odisha.

NHAI Chief General Manager (CGM) Veerendra Singh said the project will be implemented in three phases at an estimated cost of Rs 8,300 crore, with a targeted completion period of two-and-a-half years.

Bidding Process And Timeline

The bidding process for the project has progressed as scheduled, with Friday marking the last date for submission of bids. The project has been divided into three packages, and around 15 bids have been received for each package.

Officials said the work is likely to be awarded within the next one-and-a-half months, and efforts are underway to commence construction from the first week of April.

Design Features And Traffic Management

The Capital Region Ring Road will have a limited number of entry and exit points, with eight designated access and exit locations to prevent unnecessary congestion. The access-controlled design is intended to ensure smoother traffic flow and reduced travel time for commuters.

To facilitate wildlife movement, particularly elephants, an underground passage with a height of seven metres will be constructed along the corridor.

Infrastructure And Land Acquisition

The project includes the construction of 125 underpasses and 300 culverts. Facilities such as petrol pumps, dhabas and vehicle repair shops will be developed at four locations along the route.

A total of 660 acres of land is required for the project, of which 220 acres belong to the government and government institutions, while the remaining 440 acres have been acquired from private landowners.