Bhubaneswar: Odisha Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister and Chairman of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, on Friday laid the foundation stone for a major six-lane road connecting Guru Kelucharan Park with Patia Railway Station.

The 45-metre-wide Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) road, estimated to cost Rs 55.85 crore, is aimed at strengthening connectivity and easing traffic congestion in the rapidly developing northern parts of Bhubaneswar.

The proposed road will have a total length of 2.387 km and pass through the Patia, Chandrasekharpur and Gadakana mouzas. It will provide an important connectivity link to Patia Railway Station under the Right Side Road Network (RSRN) and offer an alternative route for commuters travelling along the busy Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan corridor.

The six-lane road is scheduled to be completed within 18 months. The project will include modern urban infrastructure such as street lighting, footpaths, a dedicated utility corridor and drainage facilities. These provisions are expected to improve pedestrian movement, road safety and the overall efficiency of the city's transport network.

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Minister Mahapatra said the project would significantly improve traffic movement and help decongest the Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan road.

He added that the improved road network would facilitate smoother and faster movement of passengers travelling to and from Patia Railway Station while benefiting residents of the surrounding areas.

North Bhubaneswar MLA Susant Kumar Rout, local corporators Laxmipriya Parida and Sushama Sahoo, BDA Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana and senior BDA officials were present at the ceremony.

Minister reviews affordable housing project

Following the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Minister Mahapatra visited the Affordable Housing Project (AHP) at Gadakana and reviewed its progress.

The project is being implemented by the BDA under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode and comprises 680 dwelling units.

The housing project is aimed at strengthening affordable housing infrastructure in Bhubaneswar and providing improved residential facilities to eligible beneficiaries.