Odisha Plans New Expressway to Decongest Bhubaneswar’s Northern Corridor
Four-lane Rasulgarh–Raghunathpur route to serve as a high-speed alternative to Jayadev Vihar–Nandankanan road
Bhubaneswar : In a major step toward transforming Bhubaneswar’s urban mobility, the Odisha government is planning to develop a new expressway connecting Rasulgarh to Raghunathpur in the northern corridor of the capital region. The proposed four-lane carriageway, envisioned as an alternative to the congested Jayadev Vihar–Nandankanan route, aims to ease city traffic and provide faster connectivity between residential, institutional, and commercial zones.
According to official sources, the upcoming expressway will function as a high-speed link between NH-16 at Rasulgarh and the Nandankanan–Raghunathpur region, which has witnessed rapid growth in housing, educational, and business establishments in recent years. The project is expected to provide a major relief to commuters who currently struggle with heavy traffic on the Jayadev Vihar–Patia–Nandankanan stretch.
Officials said that once completed, the expressway will enable smooth vehicular movement between the southern and northern parts of Bhubaneswar without entering the city’s congested core. “The proposed route will significantly reduce travel time and act as a bypass for through traffic, thereby improving the overall commuting experience,” an official from the Works department said.
Boosting Urban Connectivity and Mobility
The plan is part of the state government’s broader effort to develop alternative traffic corridors across the capital region. Earlier, the government had initiated surveys for several such projects, including a road from CRPF Square to Nandankanan via Ekamra Kanan, another from Acharya Vihar to Patia through Sainik School, and the development of a stretch along the Daya West Canal. While the Acharya Vihar–Patia road has already provided relief to commuters, the remaining two projects are still under consideration.
The new expressway is expected to run parallel to the Chandaka–Patia belt, connecting major nodes and extending up to Raghunathpur. It will enhance accessibility to institutional clusters, IT hubs, and residential townships in the area. In line with the government’s focus on sustainable urban infrastructure, the project may include service roads, pedestrian pathways, green buffers, and space for future expansion.
Detailed Project Report and Feasibility Study
The Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) has been entrusted with deploying a professional agency to conduct a detailed feasibility study and prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed expressway. The DPR will cover crucial aspects such as route alignment, traffic volume projections for the next 30 years, land acquisition requirements, environmental impact assessments, and overall cost estimates.
OBCC has already issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select the consulting agency responsible for the project’s technical studies. The agency will prepare design layouts and suggest locations for toll plazas, parking zones, bus bays, weighing stations, and rest areas. It will also propose surface and subsurface drainage systems to ensure long-term road durability and safety.
Strategic Importance for Bhubaneswar’s Growth
The proposed expressway is seen as a strategic infrastructure investment that will not only decongest key arterial roads but also support the city’s planned expansion toward the northern corridor. With Raghunathpur, Chandaka, and Patia emerging as major residential and institutional hubs, the project is expected to stimulate real estate growth and facilitate smoother logistics and transit for industries and educational institutions.
A senior Works department official stated, “The project is in its preliminary phase. Once the feasibility report and DPR are finalized, the proposal will be presented to the government for approval. If implemented as planned, the expressway could cut travel time between Rasulgarh and Raghunathpur by 30–40% and significantly reduce traffic load on the Jayadev Vihar–Nandankanan corridor.”
The initiative underscores the Odisha government’s commitment to modernizing Bhubaneswar’s transport network and aligning it with future urban demands, paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable capital city.
