In a major boost to road and traffic infrastructure in the state capital, Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday laid the foundation stone for an elevated corridor project worth Rs 9.52 billion, connecting Jayadev Vihar with Nandankanan in Bhubaneswar. The 9.5 km-long elevated corridor will link Kalinga Stadium with Raghunathpur and has gained importance after the state government decided to put the proposed metro project for this stretch on hold due to revisions to the detailed project report. The new road corridor is expected to serve as a critical alternative to improve traffic flow along one of the city’s busiest arterial routes. Majhi said the elevated corridor would be a significant infrastructure upgrade for Bhubaneswar and support its evolution into a futuristic, metropolitan city. He added that the project would ensure seamless traffic movement and improve connectivity to key locations. The corridor will be integrated with multiple flyovers to enhance access to major junctions such as Kalinga Hospital Square and Damana Square. Planned roundabouts at major intersections are expected to further smoothen vehicular movement. The chief minister also said similar road network projects are being planned for other parts of the city. Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said emphasis would be placed on timely completion of the project. Officials confirmed that the project will be executed by Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Limited, with an initial construction timeline of two years. According to project details, the corridor aligns with Bhubaneswar’s Comprehensive Development Plan 2030. It will start near Gate No. 4 of Kalinga Stadium and terminate at the Raghunathpur bridge. Once completed, the existing six-lane road will be upgraded to an eight-lane configuration to increase capacity and ease congestion. The project also includes 5.5-metre-wide service roads on both sides, with a combined length of around 17.5 km, and 7.5-metre-wide slip roads extending about 9 km. Four-lane flyovers are planned at Kalinga Hospital Square, Damana Square, KIIT Square and Kalarahanga, along with grade-separated junctions. In addition, a four-lane, 190-metre cable-stayed bridge is proposed at the Jayadev Vihar junction on National Highway 16, designed to serve as an architectural landmark. Grade roundabouts are planned at nine locations, including Jayadev Vihar, XIMB Square, Care Hospital Junction, Infocity Square, Sishu Vihar Junction, KIIT Square and Kalarahanga Junction.