Strong bidder interest for Bhubaneswar Capital Region Ring Road; NHAI to award contracts by March

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received an enthusiastic response from construction firms for the development of the 111-kilometre, six-lane access-controlled Greenfield Capital Region Ring Road, also known as the Bhubaneswar Bypass, in Odisha.

The project has been divided into three packages for execution, and each segment has attracted significant competition. According to official information, Package-I received 23 bids, Package-II drew 25 bids, and Package-III saw participation from 16 bidders. The strong response across all three packages highlights substantial industry interest in the major infrastructure initiative.

NHAI is expected to finalise and award the contracts by March 2026. Construction activities will begin shortly after the award of contracts, with the entire project targeted for completion within two and a half years.

The Capital Region Ring Road project was approved by the Union Cabinet and will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). The proposed 111-kilometre corridor will connect Rameshwar to Tangi, forming a high-capacity ring road around the capital region. The total estimated project cost stands at Rs 8,307.74 crore.

Preparatory work for the project is at an advanced stage. Nearly 96 percent of land acquisition has been completed, and the necessary forest, wildlife, and environmental clearances have already been secured, paving the way for smooth execution.

Once operational, the ring road is expected to ease traffic congestion in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Khordha by diverting through-traffic away from densely populated urban centres. The access-controlled highway will improve regional mobility, reduce travel time, and lower logistics costs.

Also Read: 803 Jan Aushadhi Kendras functional in Odisha; Centre clarifies position on mobile medicine units

In addition to strengthening connectivity, the project is anticipated to generate significant employment opportunities during the construction and operation phases. Authorities believe the corridor will play a vital role in supporting long-term economic growth in the region while promoting safer, faster, and more efficient transportation.