The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is urging the Odisha government to expedite statutory clearances for two ambitious ring road projects worth Rs 7,500 crore.
These projects—one around Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and another in Sambalpur—aim to enhance connectivity and decongest urban areas. However, delays stemming from forest land diversion have stalled progress for over two years.
Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR)
Approved under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the Rs 6,100-crore CRRR will be a 111-km, six-lane access-controlled expressway. The project seeks to reroute long-haul traffic away from NH-16, benefiting urban areas like Khordha, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack. Land acquisition commenced in June 2022, but further approvals are needed.
Sambalpur Ring Road
The Rs 1,333-crore Sambalpur Ring Road spans 35 km and will link 19 villages, requiring 290 hectares of land. While land acquisition is completed, forest clearances remain pending, delaying the start of construction.
State’s Separate Traffic Overhaul
Odisha has independently proposed a Rs 7,000-crore urban mobility revamp for Bhubaneswar, incorporating inner and outer ring roads, flyovers, and elevated corridors.
Way Forward
With infrastructure development crucial for economic growth, the NHAI’s push for approvals underscores the urgency of overcoming environmental hurdles to pave the way for improved connectivity.
