The Odisha state government has announced plans to significantly upgrade one of Bhubaneswar's busiest corridors. The stretch from the airport to Nandankanan Road will be widened from four lanes to eight lanes. This 18-kilometer arterial road is a critical link between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, lined with numerous housing and commercial establishments. The project also includes the construction of an elevated corridor with flyovers at major junctions.
Minister Announces Plan to Ease Traffic
Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that the proposed upgrade aims to improve traffic flow and reduce travel time between the twin cities. He noted that the stretch experiences extremely high traffic volume throughout the day, especially during office hours. Widening the road and building grade-separated intersections will help address long-standing congestion issues.
Elevated Corridor and Flyovers Planned
Officials have indicated that the elevated corridor will be constructed in congestion-prone zones. Flyovers are planned at key intersections such as Nalco Square and Damana Square. Currently, the airport to Nandankanan stretch handles mixed traffic, including inter-city commuters, airport-bound vehicles, and freight movement. Traffic pressure has grown manifold over the past decade due to rapid urbanization.
Mixed Reactions from Experts and Residents
While commuters have welcomed the announcement, the plan has drawn mixed reactions from residents and urban mobility experts. Some argue that road widening alone may not provide a long-term solution. Urban mobility experts have again pitched for the revival of the proposed Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project. Manas Das, a city-based urban planner, stated that the metro was one of the viable options to ease congestion and that widening or building flyovers would not help in the long run.
Several residents' groups have reiterated their demand for dedicated bus lanes on the stretch to promote public transport and reduce private vehicle dependence. Hridesh Mohapatra, a bus commuter from Chandrasekharpur, commented that eight lanes and flyovers may ease movement for cars, but without exclusive bus lanes, congestion will return in a few years.
