Bhubaneswar is poised for a transformative infrastructure upgrade as authorities approve a 110.875 km six-lane access-controlled Capital Region Ring Road. Designed to streamline traffic and support sustainable urban growth, the project is expected to significantly ease congestion along the Rameshwar–Tangi corridor and strengthen connectivity across Odisha’s key economic and social hubs. Officials highlighted its potential to drive economic efficiency while promoting eco-friendly urban transport solutions.
The Capital Region Ring Road, developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model with an estimated investment of Rs 83.07 billion, aims to redirect commercial vehicles away from the city’s dense urban areas. Experts note that this will not only reduce travel times for freight but also lower carbon emissions associated with idling vehicles in city traffic. With traffic projected to reach 28,282 passenger car units per day by FY25, the road is positioned as a critical artery for sustainable mobility. Strategically aligned with major national highways including NH-55, NH-57, NH-655, and State Highway 65, the corridor will enhance multimodal connectivity to Bhubaneswar Airport, a key railway station, ports at Puri and Astrang, and a proposed Multi-Modal Logistics Park. Urban planners emphasise that integrating these transport nodes will support regional commerce and ensure smoother logistics for industries while minimising environmental impact.
The ring road is set to link 10 economic clusters, including a Special Economic Zone, a mega food park, textile and pharmaceutical hubs, and a fishing cluster. Officials believe this connectivity will spur industrial development, facilitate equitable access to emerging markets, and benefit tribal and aspirational districts, thereby promoting inclusive economic growth. In addition to economic gains, construction of the project is expected to generate approximately 74.43 lakh person-days of direct employment and 93.04 lakh person-days of indirect employment. Urban development experts suggest that such infrastructure initiatives not only support job creation but also encourage sustainable regional development by balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations.
Authorities emphasise the project’s alignment with green urbanisation principles, noting that the new ring road will incorporate eco-friendly design elements, reduce urban vehicular congestion, and promote energy-efficient freight movement. Planners expect it to evolve into a model corridor demonstrating how large-scale transport infrastructure can advance regional growth while adhering to sustainability goals. With Bhubaneswar’s rapid urbanisation and rising transport demands, the Capital Region Ring Road emerges as a pivotal intervention. Officials highlight that its success could serve as a template for other cities in eastern India seeking to balance economic vitality with environmental responsibility.
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