Cuttack, Aug. 7 (UDN): In a significant push to strengthen urban road infrastructure, the Odisha government has approved the widening of two major stretches of the Cuttack Ring Road into six-lane corridors. The projects, with a combined investment of over Rs 54 crore, are expected to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety, and enhance connectivity across the city.
Representational Image
The approved stretches include Bellview Square to Chahata and Netaji Subhash Setu to Naraj via Brajabiharipur, both of which witness heavy traffic due to the city’s rapid expansion and increasing vehicle population.
Two Projects, Over Rs 54 Crore Investment
The Bellview Square–Chahata stretch will be upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs 22.66 crore. The project has been given an execution timeline of eight months.
Meanwhile, the Netaji Subhash Setu–Naraj via Brajabiharipur corridor will be widened into a six-lane road at a cost of Rs 31.75 crore, with officials targeting completion within 11 months.
Land Acquisition Largely Hassle-Free
Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde said the tender process for the Bellview Square–Chahata stretch has already been completed and groundwork for the project has begun.
“A coordination meeting has already been held for land demarcation. Nearly 90 per cent of the required land belongs to the government, so there are no major acquisition issues. We are in the process of directly purchasing the remaining three to four per cent of private land,” he said.
Part of a Larger Ring Road Expansion Plan
The two projects form part of the state’s broader plan to upgrade the entire Cuttack Ring Road network. Road widening is already in progress on the Khan Nagar–Malachandia Square and Chahata–Madhusudan Setu stretches as part of the comprehensive expansion initiative.
Once completed, the six-lane Ring Road is expected to streamline traffic movement within Cuttack while improving regional connectivity. The upgraded corridor will offer smoother access between Bhubaneswar, CDA, Athagarh, Angul, and Sambalpur, benefiting daily commuters, students, businesses, and transport operators.
Residents Hope for Timely Completion
The government’s decision has been welcomed by local residents, who believe the project will help decongest city roads and reduce accidents. However, they have also urged authorities to complete the work within the stipulated timeline to minimise inconvenience.
“It will greatly reduce traffic inside the city and help prevent road accidents,” said resident Umesh Chandra Behera.
Another resident, Suresh Kumar Behera, stressed the importance of timely execution. “The six-lane road will benefit everyone, but the construction should not remain incomplete after it begins. Delays will only create more hardship for commuters,” he said.