BHUBANESWAR: The state government has started soil testing for the proposed Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan elevated corridor, marking the initial phase of work for implementation of the ambitious project intended at reducing congestion on the busy stretch and improving connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Managing director of Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC) Anupam Saha informed that the soil investigation has been taken up as part of the initial work. “Demarcation of land for the proposed eight-lane carriageway, shifting of utility services lanes and other required steps will be also initiated soon for the project,” he said.
Sources said the Works department will also approach the NHAI to seek its permission for construction of a portion of the elevated corridor that will cross the NH overbridge near Jayadev Vihar Square.
According to sources, the soil testing has been initially planned near Kalinga Stadium, Jayadev Vihar, Kalinga Hospital Square, Damana and KIIT Square. The exercise will subsequently be taken up in other patches along the proposed corridor to determine the strength and load-bearing capacity of the soil, prior to commencement of the construction work for the project.
The state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had cleared the 9.5-km Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan elevated corridor project on July 1 this year to transform connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
The project, targeted for completion within 24 months, will be executed on a turnkey basis by Dineshchandra R Agrawal Infracon Pvt Ltd, the lowest bidder, at Rs 579 crore.
The corridor, stretching from Kalinga Stadium (Gate no 4) to Raghunathpur bridge, will be widened from six lanes to an eight-lane carriageway with service roads and modern traffic infrastructure.
A key feature of the project is the construction of four flyovers at Jayadev Vihar (cable-stayed bridge), Kalinga Hospital Square, Damana Square and KIIT Square along with improvements at Kalarahanga junction. The project also includes service roads, slip roads, pedestrian subways, underground parking, drainage systems, bridges, roundabouts, road safety measures, lighting, landscaping and avenue plantation.
Works department officials said the corridor will serve as a major arterial route connecting Bhubaneswar with Cuttack through Baranga and ease traffic congestion, significantly reducing travel time on the stretch.