Approval for New Ring Road in Odisha

Comprehensive Summary of Cabinet Approval for the Construction of 6-Lane Access-Controlled Capital Region Ring Road in Odisha

On October 25, 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the construction of a 6-Lane Access-Controlled Capital Region Ring Road, also referred to as the Bhubaneswar Bypass. This highway will span approximately 110.875 km and will be developed in Odisha using the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of Rs. 8307.74 crore.

Key Details of the Project:

• Objective: To alleviate significant congestion currently experienced on existing routes between Rameshwar to Tangi, which pass through highly urbanized areas, including Khordha, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.
• Project Type: 6-Lane Access-Controlled Greenfield Highway aimed at enhancing connectivity and reducing traffic congestion.
• Significance: This project is expected to divert heavy commercial traffic away from key urban centers, improving freight movement efficiency, reducing logistics costs, and facilitating socio-economic growth across Odisha and neighboring eastern states.

Connectivity Enhancements:

• The project will integrate with three major National Highways: NH-55, NH-57, and NH-655, in addition to one State Highway (SH-65).
• The proposed corridor will incorporate links to significant economic, social, and logistics nodes including:
  • Economic Nodes: Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Mega Food Park, Textile and Pharma Clusters, Fishing Cluster.
  • Social Nodes: Areas considered as Aspirational Districts, Tribal Districts, and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts.
  • Transport Nodes: Key infrastructures such as Bhubaneswar Airport, major railway stations in Khordha, and ports in Puri & Astrang. Connection to a proposed Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) will also be part of this development.

Economic and Employment Impact:

• The implementation of this project is anticipated to create approximately 74.43 lakh man-days of direct employment and 93.04 lakh man-days of indirect employment.
• It plays a pivotal role in regional economic growth, enhancing accessibility to major religious and economic centers and providing new opportunities for trade and industrial initiatives.

Additional Information:

• The project is poised to streamline the movement of goods and passenger traffic across the state, supported by an anticipated Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) of 28,282 Passenger Car Units (PCU) by fiscal year 2025.
• By effectively managing the multidimensional integration of road transport, economic development nodes, and logistic facilities, the project underscores a commitment to substantial infrastructural investment in Odisha.

Summary Points:

• Project Approval: CCEA approved the 6-Lane Greenfield Capital Region Ring Road on October 25, 2023.
• Total Cost: Estimated at Rs. 8307.74 crore.
• Length: 110.875 km, linking Rameshwar to Tangi.
• Aim: To reduce congestion and improve freight movement, enhancing socio-economic growth.
• Interconnectivity: Integrates with NH-55, NH-57, NH-655, and SH-65 while connecting multimodal logistics, major railways, and airports.
• Employment Generation: Expected to yield 74.43 lakh direct and 93.04 lakh indirect employment opportunities.
• Traffic Forecast: Estimated AADT of 28,282 PCUs by FY 2025.

The project reflects a significant investment in Odisha’s infrastructure, aiming to bolster economic activities and improve quality of life through reduced traffic congestion and enhanced connectivity.