Dikhyaa Mohanty 
At Lok Seva Bhavan, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today assessed the status of many infrastructure projects under the Works Department and gave authorities instructions to accelerate the execution of important development projects. He underlined the necessity of ensuring complete spending before the end of the fiscal year, given that 72% of the department’s budget has already been used. The Bhubaneswar Integrated Development Plan and strategies to reduce traffic in the city were the main topics of discussion during the conference.
It was discovered that a number of significant projects were planned, such as the expansion of Jatni Road from Sundarpada, the development of Daya West Canal Road from Patia Railway Station Chowk to Suanga Mouja, and the building of an elevated corridor from Jayadev Vihar to Nandankanan. In addition, an underpass will be built at AG Chowk and three new flyovers will be built at Kalpana Chowk, Museum, and Sishu Bhavan Chowk.
Additionally evaluated was the ongoing construction on the left parallel road that runs from the Institute of Mathematics to Pathargadia-Utkal Hospital-Rail Vihar to Ekamra Kanan. Three right access roads that would connect Damna to Press Chowk, Kalarahanga to Barimund, and Kelucharan Park to Barimund have been finalized in their plans. To improve urban transportation, the government has also suggested building an inner ring road. The plan for a 64-kilometer inner ring road for Bhubaneswar, which would comprise six-lane roadways from Tamando to Paikrapur and from Dhauli to Tamando, was the main topic of discussion during the conference.
To handle the city’s growth, an outer ring road has also been proposed. It would span 148 km and include six lanes and two service roads, with an estimated cost of Rs 6,152 crore. It is anticipated that this project would improve tourism, encourage economic growth, and increase connectivity. The government has also embarked on the ambitious Grand Ring Road project, which would span 287 km from Berhampur to Jeypore in its initial phase, as part of the state’s larger aspirations for road development. There will be four tunnels in this section. The Chief Minister instructed authorities to guarantee the prompt completion of the Rs 214 crore budgeted for the construction of Keonjhar’s Maa Tarini Temple and the beauty of its surroundings.
Plans for the construction of the Barbil Ring Road, the improvement of the Unit-2 region of Bhubaneswar, and other significant urban infrastructure projects were also discussed at the conference. Principal Secretary of the Works Department Vir Vikram Yadav, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Nikunj Bihari Dhal, Law, Works, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, and senior Works Department engineers attended the meeting.
