Bhubaneswar To Get ₹8308 Crore Six Lane Bypass Easing Traffic
Bhubaneswar is set for a major infrastructure upgrade with the approval of a ₹8,308 crore six-lane access-controlled bypass designed to ease traffic within the state capital and its adjoining hubs. The ambitious project, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, will form a critical part of the Capital Region Ring Road, offering a greenfield corridor to divert heavy commercial traffic away from crowded city arteries.
The move comes at a time when traffic bottlenecks from Rameshwar to Tangi have severely hampered mobility through Khordha, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The high volume of freight movement mixed with local passenger traffic has not only slowed travel but also inflated logistics costs for businesses. Officials said the new bypass will separate long-haul commercial vehicles from intra-city commuters, creating smoother urban movement while simultaneously cutting freight delays.
Planned under the hybrid annuity model, the project spans 110.8 kilometres and falls along the crucial Kolkata–Chennai corridor. It will connect with three National Highways — NH55, NH57 and NH655 — as well as State Highway 65. In addition, the bypass will integrate with a major railway station in Khordha, Bhubaneswar airport, two ports at Puri and Astrang, and a proposed multi-modal logistics park, thereby enhancing seamless multi-modal transport.
Officials highlighted that the corridor would link ten economic nodes, including food processing hubs, pharma and textile clusters, and fishing zones, alongside four social nodes in aspirational and tribal districts. This positions the bypass as more than just an urban traffic solution; it becomes a driver of industrial development and inclusive regional growth. The economic impact is also expected to be substantial. Authorities project that the construction phase alone will generate over 7.4 million person-days of direct employment and more than 9.3 million person-days indirectly. Once operational, the bypass is expected to bring down logistics costs, improve delivery times for goods, and make Odisha more competitive for industries looking to expand in eastern India.
For commuters and residents of Bhubaneswar, the project promises long-term relief from gridlocks that have plagued arterial roads for years. Experts note that by reducing congestion, the bypass will lower vehicular emissions, contributing to cleaner air and aligning with sustainable mobility goals. An official explained that the corridor will be designed with modern standards for safety and environmental compliance, positioning it as a benchmark for green infrastructure in the region. While execution challenges such as land acquisition remain, the project signals a decisive step towards integrating urban efficiency with regional economic ambition. For Odisha, the Bhubaneswar bypass stands as both a traffic decongestant and a growth catalyst, redefining mobility in the state’s capital region.
