Centre grants environmental clearance to Rameswar–Tangi Ring Road Project; relief for Bhubaneswar–Cuttack traffic

In a significant boost to infrastructure development in Odisha’s capital region, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted environmental clearance to the Rameswar–Tangi Ring Road project. The Centre has also accorded wildlife clearance for the Gobindpur–Tangi stretch (CRR-2), clearing a major hurdle for the Capital Region Ring Road (CRR) project.

With these key approvals in place, the long-awaited project is expected to substantially reduce traffic congestion in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack by diverting heavy and through traffic away from city roads. Officials said the ring road would act as a strategic bypass, improving traffic flow and easing pressure on urban stretches that frequently witness bottlenecks.

Progress on land acquisition has reached an advanced stage, with nearly 94 per cent of the required land already acquired. Authorities believe this will help fast-track construction activities and ensure the timely execution of the project.

The Capital Region Ring Road project includes the development of a 110-kilometre-long, six-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway connecting Rameswar to Tangi. Once completed, the corridor will bypass major urban centres such as Khordha, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, significantly cutting down travel time and improving logistics efficiency in the region.

The project is being implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), which involves both public and private sector participation. Under this model, the government shares part of the construction cost, while the private concessionaire undertakes construction and maintenance, ensuring better quality and long-term sustainability.

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Apart from easing traffic congestion, the ring road is expected to enhance regional connectivity, support economic growth, and improve access to industrial, commercial and residential hubs in and around the capital region. Officials added that the project would also strengthen road safety and provide a modern, high-speed transport corridor aligned with future urban expansion.

Once operational, the Capital Region Ring Road is expected to emerge as a key infrastructure backbone for Odisha, facilitating smoother movement of goods and passengers while supporting the state’s long-term development goals.