The Twin City of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack would have a four-lane ring road to reduce heavy traffic flow in the coming days.
It was announced by State Works Department Secretary Nalini Kanta Pradhan at the 75th Indian Roads Congress (IRC) inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Monday.
Pradhan, who is also the IRC’s State steering committee chairman, said in his speech that the State Government has planned for a 64-km stretch four-lane ring road between Khordha and Manguli square. He informed that a detailed project report (DPR) of the 64-km proposed ring road would be prepared very soon.
“The Twin City is witnessing heavy flow of traffic everyday and it will increase manifold within two to three years. If it happens, the present roads cannot manage the traffic flow. So, we need the grand ring road,” said Pradhan and expected that around Rs 900 crore might be spent for the project.
While inaugurating the IRC, the Chief Minister impressed on introduction of new technology in road construction sector. He suggested the IRC to utilise industrial wastes like fly ash, slag and also plastic waste for road construction.
Patnaik said his Government spends nearly 25 per cent of its Budget which implies prioritising of infrastructure development in road sector in the State. He told about the Biju Express Way project having a distinguished funding of about Rs 3,200 crore connecting major cities of the State with the developed urban areas of the country like Vijayawada and Ranchi. The newly launched Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana (MMSY) would take care of the roads connectivity to all un-connected rural areas, he added.
Among others, Rural Development Minister Badri Narayan Patra, Chief Secretary GC Pati, IRC president Sunil Bhowmik, Director General of Roads SN Das, IRC secretary general SS Nahar and officials of both the State and Central Government were present.