Bhubaneswar: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received extensive bidder participation for the proposed 111-km, six-lane greenfield Capital Region Ring Road project. Bids were invited in three packages, with package I receiving 23 bids, package II 25 and package III getting 16 bids, officials said.The project, approved by the Union Cabinet, will develop a 111-km ring road from Rameshwar to Tangi under the hybrid annuity mode. The estimated capital cost of the project is Rs 8,307 crore. NHAI said around 96% of land acquisition was completed, along with forest, wildlife and environment clearances.Officials said that tenders are expected to be finalised by March, with construction set to begin after the award, with a completion period of two and a half years. The project is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion, especially on NH-16 that passes right through the city.“The corridor is aimed at decongesting Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Khurda, improving regional connectivity and mobility, reducing logistics costs, generating employment, and supporting economic growth through safer and faster travel,” an official statement from the ministry of road transport and highways read.
