The 18-km arterial road, which serves as a key link between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
Bhubaneswar: To ease traffic congestion on one of the state capital’s busiest corridors, the state govt has announced plans to widen the airport to Nandankanan Road stretch — along which Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project was earlier conceptualised — to eight lanes from the existing four.The 18-km arterial road, which serves as a key link between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and has several housing and commercial establishments on both sides, will also see the construction of an elevated corridor with flyovers at major junctions.Announcing the plan, works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the proposed upgrade aims to improve traffic flow and cut down travel time between the twin cities.“The stretch witnesses extremely high traffic volume throughout the day, particularly during office hours.
Widening the road and building grade-separated intersections will help address long-standing congestion issues,” the minister said.Officials said the proposed elevated corridor will come up along congestion-prone zones, with flyovers planned at key intersections such as Nalco Square and Damana Square.The airport to Nandankanan stretch currently handles mixed traffic, inter-city commuters, airport-bound vehicles and freight movement.
Traffic pressure has grown manifold over the past decade due to rapid urbanisation.While the announcement has been welcomed by commuters, the plan has drawn mixed reactions from residents and urban mobility experts, who argue that road widening alone may not provide a long-term solution.The urban mobility experts have again pitched for the revival of the proposed Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project.“Bhubaneswar Metro plan should be revived. Stretch widening or building flyovers wouldn’t help in the long run.
The Metro was one of the viable options to ease congestion,” Manas Das, a city-based urban planner, said.Several residents’ groups have reiterated their demand for dedicated bus lanes on the stretch to promote public transport and reduce private vehicle dependence.“Eight lanes and flyovers may ease movement for cars, but without exclusive bus lanes, congestion will return in a few years,” Hridesh Mohapatra, a bus commuter from Chandrasekharpur, said.
